TY - JOUR
T1 - Physical features, coherence and positive outcomes of person-environment interactions
T2 - A virtual reality study
AU - Pals, R.
AU - Steg, L.
AU - Dontje, J.
AU - Siero, F. W.
AU - van der Zee, K. I.
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - In this study we examined how physical features of a natural setting influenced perceived coherence and three positive outcome variables: preference, pleasure, and (self-reported) restoration. Furthermore, we examined the mediating role of perceived coherence. One hundred thirty-one students evaluated three (virtual) natural environments: an environment with metal furniture, an environment with wooden furniture, and an environment without furniture. Results showed that metal furniture negatively influenced perceived coherence as well as preference, pleasure and restoration, compared to wooden furniture and no furniture. Perceived coherence of the environment with wooden furniture was significantly higher than the environment with metal furniture, but significantly lower than the environment without furniture. We did not find support that preference for, and experienced pleasure and restoration in the environment with wooden furniture differed from the environment without furniture. Perceived coherence mediated the effect of (metal) furniture on preference, pleasure, and restoration. Scientific and practical implications are discussed.
AB - In this study we examined how physical features of a natural setting influenced perceived coherence and three positive outcome variables: preference, pleasure, and (self-reported) restoration. Furthermore, we examined the mediating role of perceived coherence. One hundred thirty-one students evaluated three (virtual) natural environments: an environment with metal furniture, an environment with wooden furniture, and an environment without furniture. Results showed that metal furniture negatively influenced perceived coherence as well as preference, pleasure and restoration, compared to wooden furniture and no furniture. Perceived coherence of the environment with wooden furniture was significantly higher than the environment with metal furniture, but significantly lower than the environment without furniture. We did not find support that preference for, and experienced pleasure and restoration in the environment with wooden furniture differed from the environment without furniture. Perceived coherence mediated the effect of (metal) furniture on preference, pleasure, and restoration. Scientific and practical implications are discussed.
KW - Coherence
KW - Environmental preference
KW - Perceived restoration
KW - Pleasure
KW - Restorative environments
KW - Virtual reality
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jenvp.2014.05.004
DO - 10.1016/j.jenvp.2014.05.004
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84903534777
SN - 0272-4944
VL - 40
SP - 108
EP - 116
JO - Journal of Environmental Psychology
JF - Journal of Environmental Psychology
ER -