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The Emotional Affordances of Forest Settings: An Investigation in Boys with Extreme Behavioural Problems

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  • Jenny Roe
  • Peter Aspinall

Abstract

The physical and social participatory properties of landscapes have been explored using affordance theory but, as yet, the affective dimension of affordances is ill-defined. This paper sets out a framework for integrating affect within the affordance perceptual model. In doing so, it draws on two established models of emotion that identify ‘valence’ (pleasure-displeasure) and ‘arousal’ (inactive-active) as basic dimensions underlying an emotional response. Ethnographic methods were employed over a six-month period to observe the emotional responses to a forest setting in boys (aged 10–12) with extreme behaviour problems and confined to a specialist residential school in central Scotland. Over time, changes in affective responses to the setting were mapped and located both within the physical setting and within the circumplex emotion model. Results show an increase in positive affective responses to the forest setting over time, accompanied by increased trust, exploratory activity and social cohesion, dimensions linked in the literature with well-being. The significance of this paper is two-fold: first, it extends research in restorative health by showing how forest settings can, in a rehabilitation context over time, offer opportunities for long-term ‘instoration’ in boys suffering from extreme mental trauma. Second, it is a first attempt at integrating affect within the affordance perception framework providing a conceptual model which can be expanded upon by future researchers.

Suggested Citation

  • Jenny Roe & Peter Aspinall, 2011. "The Emotional Affordances of Forest Settings: An Investigation in Boys with Extreme Behavioural Problems," Landscape Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(5), pages 535-552.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:clarxx:v:36:y:2011:i:5:p:535-552
    DOI: 10.1080/01426397.2010.543670
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    Cited by:

    1. Matteo Giusti & Karl Samuelsson, 2020. "The regenerative compatibility: A synergy between healthy ecosystems, environmental attitudes, and restorative experiences," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(1), pages 1-20, January.
    2. Barbara Ester Adele Piga & Gabriele Stancato & Nicola Rainisio & Marco Boffi, 2021. "How Do Nature-Based Solutions’ Color Tones Influence People’s Emotional Reaction? An Assessment via Virtual and Augmented Reality in a Participatory Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-25, December.
    3. Mark S. Tremblay & Casey Gray & Shawna Babcock & Joel Barnes & Christa Costas Bradstreet & Dawn Carr & Guylaine Chabot & Louise Choquette & David Chorney & Cam Collyer & Susan Herrington & Katherine J, 2015. "Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-31, June.
    4. Belinda Wheaton & Georgina Roy & Rebecca Olive, 2017. "Exploring Critical Alternatives for Youth Development through Lifestyle Sport: Surfing and Community Development in Aotearoa/New Zealand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-16, December.
    5. Lauriane Suyin Chalmin-Pui & Alistair Griffiths & Jenny J. Roe & Ross W. F. Cameron, 2019. "Bringing Fronts Back: A Research Agenda to Investigate the Health and Well-Being Impacts of Front Gardens," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-11, September.
    6. Susan Harrell Yee, 2020. "Contributions of Ecosystem Services to Human Well-Being in Puerto Rico," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-38, November.

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