Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                
Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Aesthetic and Affective Response to Natural Environment

  • Chapter
Behavior and the Natural Environment

Part of the book series: Human Behavior and Environment ((HUBE,volume 6))

Abstract

Affect is central to conscious experience and behavior in any environment, whether natural or built, crowded or unpopulated. Because virtually no meaningful thoughts, actions, or environmental encounters occur without affect (Ittelson, 1973, p. 16; Izard, 1977; Zajonc, 1980), an affective state is an important indicator of the nature and significance of a person’s ongoing interaction with an environment (Lazarus, Kanner, & Folkman, 1980, p. 190). Research concerning affective and aesthetic response, therefore, may have a central role in advancing our understanding of human interactions with the natural environment and could prove pivotal in the development of comprehensive theories. Further, this area of research relates to important questions in environmental planning and design, including, for instance, visual landscape assessment, the provision of vegetation and parks in cities, and issues of wilderness management and recreation. Concerning the latter, it appears that aesthetic and emotional experiences are the most important benefits realized by many recreationists in the natural environment (Rossman & Ulehla, 1977; Shafer & Mietz, 1969).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Altaian, I., & Chemers, M. M. Culture and environment. Monterey: Brooks/Cole, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-III). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  • Appleton, J. The experience of landscape. London: Wiley, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arnold, M. B. Emotion and personality (Vol. 1): Psychological aspects. New York: Columbia University Press, 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arthur, L. M. Predicting scenic beauty of forest environments: Some empirical tests. Forest Science, 1977, 23, 151–159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balint, M. Friendly expanses—Horrid empty spaces. International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 1955, 36, 225–241.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Berlyne, D. E. Conflict, arousal, and curiosity. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1960.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Berlyne, D. E. Complexity and incongruity variables as determinants of exploratory choice and evaluative ratings. Canadian Journal of Psychology, 1963, 17, 274–290.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Berlyne, D. E. Novelty, complexity and hedonic value. Perception and Psychophysics, 1970, 8, 279–286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berlyne, D. E. Aesthetics and psychobiology. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berlyne, D. E. Extension to Indian subjects of a study of exploratory and verbal responses to visual patterns. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 1975, 6, 316–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berlyne, D. E., Robbins, M. C., & Thompson, R. A cross-cultural study of exploratory and verbal responses to visual patterns varying in complexity. In D. E. Berlyne (Ed.), Studies in the new experimental aesthetics: Steps toward an objective psychology of aesthetic appreciation. New York: Wiley, 1974, pp. 259–278.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernaldez, F. G., & Parra, F. Dimensions of landscape preferences from pairwise comparisons. In Proceedings of Our National Landscape: A conference on applied techniques for analysis and management of the visual resource. Berkeley, Calif.: Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, USDA Forest Service, 1979, pp. 256–262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brush, R. O. Perceived quality of scenic and recreational environments. In K. H. Craik & E. H. Zube (Eds.), Perceiving environmental quality. New York: Plenum Press, 1976, pp. 47–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brush, R. O. Forests can be managed for esthetics: A study of forest land owners in Massachusetts. In Proceedings of the National Urban Forestry Conference. Syracuse, N.Y.: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and USDA Forest Service, 1978, pp. 349–360.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brush, R. O., & Palmer, J. F. Measuring the impact of urbanization on scenic quality: Land use change in the northeast. In Proceedings of Our National Landscape: A conference on applied techniques for analysis and management of the visual resource. Berkeley, Calif.: Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, USDA Forest Service, 1979, pp. 358–364.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brush, R. O., & Shafer, E. L., Jr. Application of a landscape preference model to land management. In E. H. Zube, R. O. Brush, & J. G. Fabos (Eds.), Landscape assessment: Values, perceptions, and resources. Stroudsburg, Pa.: Dowden, Hutchinson & Ross, 1975, pp. 168–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buhyoff, G. J., Wellman, J. D., Harvey, H., & Fraser, R. A. Landscape architects’ interpretations of people’s landscape preferences. Journal of Environmental Management, 1978, 6, 255–262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calvin, J. S., Dearinger, J. A., & Curtin, M. E. An attempt at assessing preferences for natural landscapes. Environment and Behavior, 1972, 4, 447–470.

    Google Scholar 

  • Civco, D. L. Numerical modeling of eastern Connecticut’s visual resources. In Proceedings of Our National Landscape: A conference on applied techniques for analysis and management of the visual resource. Berkeley, Calif.: Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, USDA Forest Service, 1979, pp. 263–270.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clamp, P. Evaluating English landscapes—Some recent developments. Environment and Planning, 1976, 8, 79–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cole, M., & Scribner, S. Culture and thought: A psychological introduction. New York: Wiley, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coughlin, R. E., & Goldstein, K. A. The extent of agreement among observers on environmental attractiveness. Regional Science Research Institute Discussion Paper Series, No. 37. Philadelphia: Regional Science Research Institute, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Craik, K. H. A system of landscape dimensions: Appraisal of its objectivity and illustration of its scientific application (Report to Resources of the Future, Inc.). Berkeley: University of California Institute of Personality Assessment and Research, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cullen, G. Townscape. New York: Reinhold, 1961.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daniel, T. C., & Boster, R. S. Measuring landscape esthetics: The scenic beauty estimation method (USDA Forest Service Research Paper RM-167). Ft. Collins, Colo.: Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daniel, T. C., & Schroeder, H. Scenic beauty estimation model: Predicting perceived beauty of forest landscapes. In Proceedings of Our National Landscape: A conference on applied techniques for analysis and management of the visual resource. Berkeley/Calif.: Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, USDA Forest Service, 1979, pp. 514–523.

    Google Scholar 

  • Day, H. I. Evaluations of subjective complexity, pleasingness, and interestingness for a series of random polygons varying in complexity. Perception and Psychophysics, 1967, 2, 281–286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Driver, B. L., & Greene, P. Man’s nature: Innate determinants of response to natural environments. In Children, nature, and the urban environment (USDA Forest Service Report NE-30). Upper Darby, Pa.: Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, 1977, pp. 63–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Driver, B. L., Rosenthal, D., & Peterson, G. Social benefits of urban forests and related green spaces in cities. In Proceedings of the National Urban Forestry Conference. Syracuse, N.Y.: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and USDA Forest Service, 1978, pp. 98–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eibl-Eibesfeldt, I. Similarities and differences between cultures in expressive movements. In R. A. Hinde (Ed.), Nonverbal communication. Cambridge, Mass.: Cambridge University Press, 1972, pp. 297–314.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekman, P., Friesen, W. V., & Ellsworth, P. C. Emotion in the human face. New York: Pergamon, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, G. W., & Wood, K. W. Assessment of environmental aesthetics in scenic highway corridors. Environment and Behavior, 1980, 12, 255–273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibson, J. J. Perception of distance and space in the open air. In D. Beardslee & M. Wertheimer (Eds.), Readings in perception. Princeton: Van Nostrand, 1958, pp. 415–431.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gustke, L. D., and Hodgson, R. W. Rate of travel along an interpretive trail: The effect of an environmental discontinuity. Environment and Behavior, 1980, 12, 53–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hubbard, H. V., & Kimball, T. An introduction to the study of landscape design. Boston: Hubbard Educational Trust, 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iltis, H., Loucks, O., & Andrews, J. Criteria for an optimum human environment. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 1970, 26(1), 2–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ittelson, W. H. Environment perception and contemporary perceptual theory.. In W. H. Ittelson (Ed.), Environment and cognition. New York: Seminar, 1973, pp. 1–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ittelson, W. H., Franck, K. A., & O’Hanlon, T. J. The nature of environmental experience. In S. Wapner, S. B. Cohen, & B. Kaplan (Eds.), Experiencing the environment. New York: Plenum Press, 1976, pp. 187–206.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Izard, C. E. The face of emotion. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  • Izard, C. E. Human emotions. New York: Plenum Press, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Izard, C. E., & Buechler, S. Aspects of consciousness and personality in terms of differential emotions theory. In R. Plutchik & H. Kellerman (Eds.), Emotion: Theory, research, and experience. New York: Academic Press, 1980, pp. 165–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Janssens, J. Hur man betraktar och identifierar byggnadesexteriorer—methodstudie. LTH, Sektionen for Arkitektur, Rapport 2. School of Architecture, Lund Institute of Technology, Sweden, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, R. Predictors of environmental preference: Designers and clients. In W. Preiser (Ed.), Environmental design research. Stroudsburg, Pa.: Dowden, Hutchinson & Ross, 1973, pp. 265–274.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, S. An informal model for the prediction of preference. In E. H. Zube, J. G. Fabos, & R. O. Brush (Eds.), Landscape assessment: Values, perceptions and resources. Stroudsburg, Pa.: Dowden, Hutchinson & Ross, 1975, pp. 92–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, S., Kaplan, R., & Wendt, J. S. Rated preference and complexity for natural and urban visual material. Perception and Psychophysics, 1972, 12, 354–356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, J. M. A psychology of picture perception. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuller, R. A semantic model for describing perceived environment. Stockholm: National Swedish Institute for Building Research, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kunst-Wilson, W. R., & Zajonc, R. B. Affective discrimination of stimuli that cannot be recognized. Science, 1980, 207, 557–558.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kwok, K. Semantic evaluation of perceived environment: A cross-cultural replication. Man-Environment Systems, 1979, 9, 243–249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, R. S. Emotions and adaptation: Conceptual and empirical relations. In W. J. Arnold (Ed.), Nebraska symposium on motivation. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1968, pp. 175–266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, R. S., Kanner, A. D., & Folkman, S. Emotions: A cognitive-phenomenological analysis. In R. Plutchik & H. Kellerman (Eds.), Emotion: Theory, research, and experience. New York: Academic Press, 1980, pp. 189–217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowenthal, D. The American scene. Geographical Review, 1968, 58, 61–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lowenthal, D., & Prince, H. English landscape tastes. Geographical Review, 1965, 55, 186–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDougall, W. An introduction to social psychology. London: Methuen, 1908.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Mehrabian, A., & Russell, J. A. An approach to environmental psychology. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moreland, R. L., & Zajonc, R. B. Is stimulus recognition a necessary condition for the occurrence of exposure effects? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1977, 35, 191–199.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Osgood, C. E. Studies on the generality of affective meaning systems. American Psychologist, 1962, 17, 10–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer, J. F. An investigation of the conceptual classification of landscapes and its application to landscape planning issues. In S. Weidemann & J. R. Anderson (Eds.), Priorities for environmental design research, Part I. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Design Research Association, 1978, pp. 92–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, K. E., & Baddeley, A. D. When face recognition fails. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Learning and Memory, 1977, 3, 406–417.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Penning-Roswell, E. C. The social value of English landscapes. In Proceedings of Our National Landscape: A conference on applied techniques for analysis and management of the visual resource. Berkeley, Calif.: Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, USDA Forest Service, 1979, pp. 249–255.

    Google Scholar 

  • Plutchik, R. Emotions, evolution, and adaptive processes. In M. Arnold (Ed.), Feelings and emotions: The Loyola symposium. New York: Academic Press, 1970, pp. 3–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rabinowitz, C. B., & Coughlin, R. E. Analysis of landscape characteristics relevant to preference. Regional Science Research Institute Discussion Paper Series, No. 38. Philadelphia: Regional Science Research Institute, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rossman, B. B., & Ulehla, Z. J. Psychological reward values associated with wilderness use: A functional-reinforcement approach. Environment and Behavior, 1977, 9, 41–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shafer, E. L., Jr., & Mietz, J. Aesthetic and emotional experiences rate high with northeast wilderness hikers. Environment and Behavior, 1969, 1, 187–197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shafer, E. L., & Tooby, M. Landscape preferences: An international replication. Journal of Leisure Research, 1973, 5, 60–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shafer, E. L., Hamilton, J. F., & Schmidt, E. A. Natural landscape preferences: A predictive model. Journal of Leisure Research, 1969, 1, 1–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shuttleworth, S. The evaluation of landscape quality. Landscape Research (England), 1980, 5(1), 14–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singer, J. L. Daydreaming: An introduction to the experimental study of inner experience. New York: Random House, 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sorte, G. J. Perception av landskap. Licentiates dissertation. As, Norway: Landbruksbokhandeln/Universitetsforlaget, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stainbrook, E. Human needs and the natural environment. In Man and nature in the city. Proceedings of a symposium sponsored by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Washington, D.C., 1968, pp. 1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thayer, R. L., Jr., & Atwood, B. G. Plants, complexity, and pleasure in urban and suburban environments. Environmental Psychology and Nonverbal Behavior, 1978, 3, 67–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomkins, S. S. Affect, imagery, consciousness. Vol. I: The positive affects. New York: Springer, 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomkins, S. S. Affect, imagery, consciousness. Vol. II: The negative affects. New York: Springer, 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuan, Y.-F. Visual blight: Exercises in interpretation. In Visual blight in America (Commission on College Geography Resource Paper No. 23). Washington, D.C.: Association of American Geographers, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuan, Y.-F. Raw emotion to intellectual delight. Landscape Architecture, 1978, 68, 132–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuan, Y.-F. Landscapes of fear. New York: Pantheon, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulrich, R. S. Scenery and the shopping trip: The roadside environment as a factor in route choice. Doctoral dissertation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1973. (Available as Michigan Geographical Publication No. 12, Department of Geography, 1973.)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulrich, R. S. Visual landscape preference: A model and application. Man-Environment Systems, 1977, 7, 279–293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulrich, R. S. Visual landscapes and psychological well-being. Landscape Research (England), 1979, 4(1), 17–23. (a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulrich, R. S. Psychophysiological approaches to visibility. In Proceedings of the Workshop on Visibility Values (USDA Forest Service Report WO-18). Fort Collins, Colo.: 1979, pp. 93–99. (b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulrich, R. S. Natural versus urban scenes: Some psychophysiological effects. Environment and Behavior, 1981, 13, 523–556.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ulrich, R. S., & Zuckerman, M. Preference for landscape paintings: Differences as a function of sensation-seeking. Unpublished research, Departments of Geography and Psychology, University of Delaware, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, R. W. Motivation reconsidered: The concept of competence. Psychological Review, 1959, 66, 297–333.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, W. R. Feeling more than we can know: Exposure effects without learning. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1979, 37, 811–821.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wohlwill, J. F. Amount of stimulus exploration and preference as differential functions of stimulus complexity. Perception and Psychophysics, 1968, 4, 307–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wohlwill, J. F. Factors in the differential response to the natural and man-made environments. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Montreal, August 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wohlwill, J. F. Environmental aesthetics: The environment as a source of affect. In I. Altaian & J. F. Wohlwill (Eds.), Human behavior and environment (Vol. 1). New York: Plenum Press, 1976, pp. 37–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wohlwill, J. F. What belongs where: Research on fittingness of man-made structures in natural settings. In T. C. Daniel, E. H. Zube, & B. L. Driver (Eds.), Assessing amenity resource values (USDA General Tech. Rep. RM-68). Fort Collins, Colo.: Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experimental Station, 1979, pp. 48–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wohlwill, J. F. The place of order and uncertainty in art and environmental aesthetics. Motivation and Emotion, 1980, 4, 133–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wohlwill, J. F., & Harris, G. Response to congruity or contrast for man-made features in natural-recreation settings. Leisure Sciences, 1980, 3, 349–365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zajonc, R. B. Feeling and thinking: Preferences need no inferences. American Psychologist, 1980, 35, 151–175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zube, E. H. Cross-disciplinary and inter-mode agreement on the description and evaluation of landscape resources. Environment and Behavior, 1974, 6, 69–89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zube, E. H., Pitt, D. G., & Anderson, T. W. Perception and measurements of scenic resources in the Southern Connecticut River Valley. Amherst: Institute for Man and Environment, University of Massachusetts, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zube, E. H., Pitt, D. G., & Anderson, T. W. Perception and prediction of scenic resource values of the Northeast. In E. H. Zube, R. O. Brush, & J. G. Fabos (Eds.), Landscape assessment: Values, perceptions and resources. Stroudsburg, Pa.: Dowden, Hutchinson & Ross, 1975, pp. 151–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zuckerman, M. Sensation seeking and anxiety, traits and states, as determinants of behavior in novel situations. In I. Sarason & C. Spielberger (Eds.), Stress and Anxiety (Vol. 3). New York: Wiley, 1976, pp. 141–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zuckerman, M. The development of a situation specific trait-state test for the prediction and measurement of affective responses. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1977, 45, 512–523.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zuckerman, M. Sensation-seeking: Beyond the optimal level of arousal. New York: Wiley, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, 19711, USA

    Roger S. Ulrich

Authors
  1. Roger S. Ulrich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

    Irwin Altman

  2. Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA

    Joachim F. Wohlwill

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1983 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ulrich, R.S. (1983). Aesthetic and Affective Response to Natural Environment. In: Altman, I., Wohlwill, J.F. (eds) Behavior and the Natural Environment. Human Behavior and Environment, vol 6. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3539-9_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3539-9_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-3541-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-3539-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation