Impact of nature imagery & mystery on ART

This study explored for effects of natural, built and mixed environment types and levels of mystery on attention restoration in university undergraduates. Perceived and actual levels of attention restoration were measured using a Perceived Restoration Scale (PRS) and the Digit Symbol Substitution task (DSST) respectively. 101 participants viewed a restorative image followed by completion of the DSST and the PRS for each of 18 images depicting different environments. Actual attention restoration was measured by latency values in the DSST instead of through both speed and error rate due to some operational issues with the DSST which interfered with full achievement of the study aims. There was an effect of different environments and mystery on attention restoration as a whole. However, there appeared to be no effect on actual attention restoration, indicating a disconnect between perceived and actual restoration. Further research is required to confirm specific effects of natural and built environments and mystery on attention restoration.