Abstract We present class exercises and demonstrations concerning the psychological consequences ... more Abstract We present class exercises and demonstrations concerning the psychological consequences of human interactions with the natural environment. Topics include aesthetic and affective evaluation of natural scenes, consequences of blocking a view of nature, how Motive for Sensory Pleasure may influence evaluation of the natural environment, weather and seasonality associations with mood and mobility, an encounter with the extremes of Mt. Everest, coping with natural and human-made disasters, human impact on biodiversity, impact of human noise on enjoyment of nature, sound logging/mapping on and near campus, effects of priming (e.g., a picture of dead plants) on beliefs about human impact, and self-awareness of consumption patterns and sustainable consumption. These exercises have been employed in numerous environmental psychology courses and are suitable for many types of classes dealing with humans and natural settings.
For over a century, authorities have recognized cultural and psychological benefits of preserving... more For over a century, authorities have recognized cultural and psychological benefits of preserving national parks and wilderness areas. Yet, with increasesin visitation and mechanized travel, air and noise pollution are intruding moreand more into preserved natural areas. Psychological research shows that humans can detect very lowlevels of these pollutants in natural and laboratory settings, that air and noise pollution detract from the enjoyment of the visitor experience, and that people place a high value on naturally quiet, pollution-free settings. This article discusses how psychological research is essential for a more complete understanding of the value and the influence of both visibility and quiet surroundings with a focus on applied, field-based research in national parks and wilderness areas. The article concludes with recommendations for future directions in research in these areas and argues that implications of psychological research results should be addressed in the n...
For over a century, authorities have recognized cultural and psychological benefits of preserving... more For over a century, authorities have recognized cultural and psychological benefits of preserving national parks and wilderness areas. Yet, with increasesin visitation and mechanized travel, air and noise pollution are intruding moreand more into preserved natural areas. Psychological research shows that humans can detect very lowlevels of these pollutants in natural and laboratory settings, that air and noise pollution detract from the enjoyment of the visitor experience, and that people place a high value on naturally quiet, pollution-free settings. This article discusses how psychological research is essential for a more complete understanding of the value and the influence of both visibility and quiet surroundings with a focus on applied, field-based research in national parks and wilderness areas. The article concludes with recommendations for future directions in research in these areas and argues that implications of psychological research results should be addressed in the n...
Natural lightscapes are an important resource for parks and protected areas, including Bryce Cany... more Natural lightscapes are an important resource for parks and protected areas, including Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument. Both locations offer night sky interpretive programs, attracting over 27,000 visitors annually, equaling all other interpretive programs combined. Parks need to understand what drives visitor interest and park managers need to assess if night sky interpretation is meeting expectations. A total of 1,179 night and day visitors to Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument served as participants and completed a 36-item survey measuring knowledge, attitudes, benefits, and behaviors related to the night sky. Results show those who attended a night sky interpretive program gained a significant amount of knowledge about night sky issues. Both day and night visitors have strongly held attitudes about light pollution and the protection of the night sky in national parks.
Aircraft overflight noise from helicopter tours is frequently encountered in such national parks ... more Aircraft overflight noise from helicopter tours is frequently encountered in such national parks as Grand Canyon, Hawaii Volcanoes, Haleakala, and Bryce Canyon. Noise is an environmental stressor and is associated with a variety of physiological and psychological effects, some of which are long-lasting. Psychologically, attributing a stressor to a nonhostile origin (e.g., a helicopter rescue mission) could mitigate stress effects.
Abstract We present class exercises and demonstrations concerning the psychological consequences ... more Abstract We present class exercises and demonstrations concerning the psychological consequences of human interactions with the natural environment. Topics include aesthetic and affective evaluation of natural scenes, consequences of blocking a view of nature, how Motive for Sensory Pleasure may influence evaluation of the natural environment, weather and seasonality associations with mood and mobility, an encounter with the extremes of Mt. Everest, coping with natural and human-made disasters, human impact on biodiversity, impact of human noise on enjoyment of nature, sound logging/mapping on and near campus, effects of priming (e.g., a picture of dead plants) on beliefs about human impact, and self-awareness of consumption patterns and sustainable consumption. These exercises have been employed in numerous environmental psychology courses and are suitable for many types of classes dealing with humans and natural settings.
For over a century, authorities have recognized cultural and psychological benefits of preserving... more For over a century, authorities have recognized cultural and psychological benefits of preserving national parks and wilderness areas. Yet, with increasesin visitation and mechanized travel, air and noise pollution are intruding moreand more into preserved natural areas. Psychological research shows that humans can detect very lowlevels of these pollutants in natural and laboratory settings, that air and noise pollution detract from the enjoyment of the visitor experience, and that people place a high value on naturally quiet, pollution-free settings. This article discusses how psychological research is essential for a more complete understanding of the value and the influence of both visibility and quiet surroundings with a focus on applied, field-based research in national parks and wilderness areas. The article concludes with recommendations for future directions in research in these areas and argues that implications of psychological research results should be addressed in the n...
For over a century, authorities have recognized cultural and psychological benefits of preserving... more For over a century, authorities have recognized cultural and psychological benefits of preserving national parks and wilderness areas. Yet, with increasesin visitation and mechanized travel, air and noise pollution are intruding moreand more into preserved natural areas. Psychological research shows that humans can detect very lowlevels of these pollutants in natural and laboratory settings, that air and noise pollution detract from the enjoyment of the visitor experience, and that people place a high value on naturally quiet, pollution-free settings. This article discusses how psychological research is essential for a more complete understanding of the value and the influence of both visibility and quiet surroundings with a focus on applied, field-based research in national parks and wilderness areas. The article concludes with recommendations for future directions in research in these areas and argues that implications of psychological research results should be addressed in the n...
Natural lightscapes are an important resource for parks and protected areas, including Bryce Cany... more Natural lightscapes are an important resource for parks and protected areas, including Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument. Both locations offer night sky interpretive programs, attracting over 27,000 visitors annually, equaling all other interpretive programs combined. Parks need to understand what drives visitor interest and park managers need to assess if night sky interpretation is meeting expectations. A total of 1,179 night and day visitors to Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument served as participants and completed a 36-item survey measuring knowledge, attitudes, benefits, and behaviors related to the night sky. Results show those who attended a night sky interpretive program gained a significant amount of knowledge about night sky issues. Both day and night visitors have strongly held attitudes about light pollution and the protection of the night sky in national parks.
Aircraft overflight noise from helicopter tours is frequently encountered in such national parks ... more Aircraft overflight noise from helicopter tours is frequently encountered in such national parks as Grand Canyon, Hawaii Volcanoes, Haleakala, and Bryce Canyon. Noise is an environmental stressor and is associated with a variety of physiological and psychological effects, some of which are long-lasting. Psychologically, attributing a stressor to a nonhostile origin (e.g., a helicopter rescue mission) could mitigate stress effects.
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