Proposing a Framework for the Restorative Effects of Nature through Conditioning

Conditioned Restoration Theory

Bibliographic Data

ID15464301
AuthorsLars E Egner (0000-0002-0976-028X, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, corresponding author), Stefan Sütterlin (0000-0002-4337-1296, Oslo University Hospital), Giovanna Calogiuri (0000-0003-1289-1026, University of South-Eastern Norway)
Year2020
Volume17
Issue18
Pages6792-6792
Publication date2020-09-17
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph17186792
PMID32957693
OpenAlexW3085959591
LanguageEN
Citations received21
References cited92

Natural environments have been shown to trigger psychological and physiological restoration in humans. A new framework regarding natural environments restorative properties is proposed. Conditioned restoration theory builds on a classical conditioning paradigm, postulating the occurrence of four stages: (i) unconditioned restoration, unconditioned positive affective responses reliably occur in a given environment (such as in a natural setting); (ii) restorative conditioning, the positive affective responses become conditioned to the environment; (iii) conditioned restoration, subsequent exposure to the environment, in the absence of the unconditioned stimulus, retrieves the same positive affective responses; and (iv) stimulus generalization, subsequent exposure to associated environmental cues retrieves the same positive affective responses. The process, hypothetically not unique to natural environments, involve the well-documented phenomenon of conditioning, retrieval, and association and relies on evaluative conditioning, classical conditioning, core affect, and conscious expectancy. Empirical findings showing that restoration can occur in non-natural environments and through various sensory stimuli, as well as findings demonstrating that previous negative experience with nature can subsequently lower restorative effects, are also presented in support of the theory. In integration with other existing theories, the theory should prove to be a valuable framework for future research

Biology · Classical conditioning · Cognitive psychology · Conditioning · Epistemology · Expectancy theory · Generalization · Natural (archaeology · Stimulus (psychology · Unconditioned stimulus · Art Therapy and Mental Health · Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies · Psychology · Social Psychology · Urban Green Space and Health

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