IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v17y2020i4p1454-d324581.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Does Digital Nature Enhance Social Aspirations? An Experimental Study

Author

Listed:
  • Josca van Houwelingen-Snippe

    (Communication Science, University of Twente, De Zul 10, 7522 NJ Enschede, The Netherlands)

  • Thomas J. L. van Rompay

    (Communication Science, University of Twente, De Zul 10, 7522 NJ Enschede, The Netherlands)

  • Menno D. T. de Jong

    (Communication Science, University of Twente, De Zul 10, 7522 NJ Enschede, The Netherlands)

  • Somaya Ben Allouch

    (Digital Life Centre, University of Applied Sciences Amsterdam, Wibautstraat 2, 1091 GM Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Loneliness and social isolation are increasingly recognized as important challenges of our times. Inspired by research hinting at beneficial effects of interacting with nature on social connectedness and opportunities provided by ambient technology to simulate nature in a rich and engaging manner, this study explored to what extent digital nature projections can stimulate social aspirations and related emotions. To this end, participants (N = 96) were asked to watch, individually or in pairs, digital nature projections consisting of animated scenes which were either dense or spacious and depicting either wild or tended nature. Subsequently, they filled out a questionnaire comprising measures for social aspirations, awe and fascination. Results show that spacious scenes elicited significantly higher social aspiration and awe scores, especially when watching alone. Design implications are discussed for making digital nature accessible for people with limited access to real nature.

Suggested Citation

  • Josca van Houwelingen-Snippe & Thomas J. L. van Rompay & Menno D. T. de Jong & Somaya Ben Allouch, 2020. "Does Digital Nature Enhance Social Aspirations? An Experimental Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-18, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:4:p:1454-:d:324581
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/4/1454/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/4/1454/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lucy E. Keniger & Kevin J. Gaston & Katherine N. Irvine & Richard A. Fuller, 2013. "What are the Benefits of Interacting with Nature?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-23, March.
    2. Mike Rogerson & Ian Colbeck & Rachel Bragg & Adekunle Dosumu & Murray Griffin, 2020. "Affective Outcomes of Group versus Lone Green Exercise Participation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-8, January.
    3. Rudd, Melanie & Vohs, Kathleen D. & Aaker, Jennifer, 2012. "Awe Expands People's Perception of Time, Alters Decision Making, and Enhances Well-Being," Research Papers 2095, Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
    4. Melissa R. Marselle & Sara L. Warber & Katherine N. Irvine, 2019. "Growing Resilience through Interaction with Nature: Can Group Walks in Nature Buffer the Effects of Stressful Life Events on Mental Health?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-25, March.
    5. Benjamin D. S. Cartwright & Mathew P. White & Theodore J. Clitherow, 2018. "Nearby Nature ‘Buffers’ the Effect of Low Social Connectedness on Adult Subjective Wellbeing over the Last 7 Days," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-20, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Josca van Houwelingen-Snippe & Thomas J. L. van Rompay & Somaya Ben Allouch, 2020. "Feeling Connected after Experiencing Digital Nature: A Survey Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-16, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Josca van Houwelingen-Snippe & Thomas J. L. van Rompay & Somaya Ben Allouch, 2020. "Feeling Connected after Experiencing Digital Nature: A Survey Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Dahlia Stott & DeAndra Forde & Chetan Sharma & Jonathan M. Deutsch & Michael Bruneau & Jennifer A. Nasser & Mara Z. Vitolins & Brandy-Joe Milliron, 2024. "Interactions with Nature, Good for the Mind and Body: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(3), pages 1-26, March.
    3. Qiang Wen & Haiqiang Liu & Jinyuan Chen & Huiyao Ye & Zeyu Pan, 2023. "Evaluation of Satisfaction with the Built Environment of University Buildings under the Epidemic and Its Impact on Student Anxiety," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-23, February.
    4. Martina Zorić & Jelena Farkić & Marko Kebert & Emina Mladenović & Dragić Karaklić & Gorana Isailović & Saša Orlović, 2022. "Developing Forest Therapy Programmes Based on the Health Benefits of Terpenes in Dominant Tree Species in Tara National Park (Serbia)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-15, May.
    5. Septianto, Felix & Ye, Sheng & Northey, Gavin, 2021. "The effectiveness of advertising images in promoting experiential offerings: An emotional response approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 344-352.
    6. Aleksandra Kosanic & Karsten Lambers & Stamatia Galata & Katja Kothieringer & Angelika Abderhalden, 2023. "Importance of Cultural Ecosystem Services for Cultural Identity and Wellbeing in the Lower Engadine, Switzerland," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-14, December.
    7. Choi, Dayeon & Seo, Yuri & Septianto, Felix & Ko, Eunju, 2022. "Luxury customization and self-authenticity: Implications for consumer wellbeing," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 243-252.
    8. Qiaohui Liu & Xiaoping Wang & Jinglan Liu & Guolin Zhang & Congying An & Yuqi Liu & Xiaoli Fan & Yishen Hu & Heng Zhang, 2021. "The Relationship between the Restorative Perception of the Environment and the Physiological and Psychological Effects of Different Types of Forests on University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-16, November.
    9. Lissy Fehnker & Diane Pearson & Peter Howland, 2022. "Informing Future Land Systems Using Self-Reported Pathways and Barriers to Connections to Nature: A Case Study in Auckland, New Zealand," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-18, October.
    10. Kinga Kimic & Albert Fekete, 2022. "The Ratio of Biologically Vital Areas as a Measure of the Sustainability of Urban Parks Using the Example of Budapest, Hungary," Resources, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-16, May.
    11. Mare Lõhmus & Cecilia U. D. Stenfors & Tomas Lind & André Lauber & Antonios Georgelis, 2021. "Mental Health, Greenness, and Nature Related Behaviors in the Adult Population of Stockholm County during COVID-19-Related Restrictions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-21, March.
    12. Piotr Próchniak & Agnieszka Próchniak, 2023. "Adventure Recreation in Blue Spaces and the Wellbeing of Young Polish Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-16, March.
    13. Rosemary Hiscock & Pierpaolo Mudu & Matthias Braubach & Marco Martuzzi & Laura Perez & Clive Sabel, 2014. "Wellbeing Impacts of City Policies for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-34, November.
    14. Lingbo Liu & Yuni Zhong & Siya Ao & Hao Wu, 2019. "Exploring the Relevance of Green Space and Epidemic Diseases Based on Panel Data in China from 2007 to 2016," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-21, July.
    15. Mu-Fei He & Shu-Lin Shi & Ming-Yi He & Yan-Peng Leng & Shao-Yi Wang, 2021. "What Affects Older Adults’ Viewing Behaviors in Neighborhood Open Space: A Study in Hong Kong," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-16, March.
    16. Malabika Sahoo & Sumita Mishra & Sasmita Mishra, 2018. "Influence of Group Composition on Participant Reactions to Training: A Study in an Indian Power Transmission Organization," Management and Labour Studies, XLRI Jamshedpur, School of Business Management & Human Resources, vol. 43(3), pages 141-155, August.
    17. Daniel T. C. Cox & Danielle F. Shanahan & Hannah L. Hudson & Richard A. Fuller & Karen Anderson & Steven Hancock & Kevin J. Gaston, 2017. "Doses of Nearby Nature Simultaneously Associated with Multiple Health Benefits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-13, February.
    18. Greg D. Simpson & Jackie Parker, 2018. "Data on Peer-Reviewed Papers about Green Infrastructure, Urban Nature, and City Liveability," Data, MDPI, vol. 3(4), pages 1-10, November.
    19. Paolo Contini & Santo Di Nuovo & Maria Sinatra & Elisabeta Osmanaj & Lucia Monacis, 2022. "Investigating the Buffering Effects of Greenery on the Adverse Emotional, Mental and Behavioral Health during the Pandemic Period," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-13, July.
    20. Jinhyung Kim & Patricia Holte & Frank Martela & Colin Shanahan & Zhanhong Li & Hong Zhang & Nikolett Eisenbeck & David F. Carreno & Rebecca J. Schlegel & Joshua A. Hicks, 2022. "Experiential appreciation as a pathway to meaning in life," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 6(5), pages 677-690, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:4:p:1454-:d:324581. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.