33rd Annual Student Research Conference
The Dose Response Effect of Time in Nature on Cognitive Functioning and Mood
Riley C. Wagner*, Lauren C. Shaw, and Kacey N. Waldrop
Dr. Jennifer R. Hurst, Faculty Mentor
Utilization of technology has come under scrutiny for its potentially negative effects of cognition and mood. Nature exposure has been suggested as restorative for both mood and cognitive processing. Therefore the purpose of this study was to explore the effect of exposure of nature on cognitive functioning and mood. Research participants were randomly assigned to a 2 hour, 4 hour and 8 hour exposure group in a natural setting. Pre and post tests were administered to evaluate creative problem solving and mood. Asimilar protocol was utilized with an indoor control group to control the influence of technology. Data has been collected from 10 participants in the outdoor treatment and 9 participants in the indoor treatment to date. After running preliminary statistical analysis, no differences have been found on creative problem solving or mood between exposure groups or between the outdoor treatment and the control. Data collection is still ongoing to increase sample size in the outdoor exposure groups.
Keywords: nature, technology, mood
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Psychology
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: TBA
Location: TBA
Time: TBA