Rachel and Stephen Kaplan
Encyclopedia
Rachel and Stephen Kaplan are renowned in the field of environmental psychology
. Professors of psychology
at the University of Michigan
, the Kaplans are known for their research on the effect of nature on people’s relationships and health
. Their work on “restorative environments” and Attention Restoration Theory
has impacted on how landscape
and design professionals and others view humanity's relationship with nature. The Kaplans got involved in studying the effects of nature on people back in the 1970s with a US Forest Service grant to evaluate a challenge program in Michigan’s wilderness. This introduction went on to influence a generations worth of environmental psychologists and designers.
The Kaplans have found that too much focused attention
on anything can lead to mental fatigue and such fatigues remedy is found in exposure to nature. In order for nature to best work its relaxing effect it is preferable for a place to have a high fascination value. An environment that automatically pulls the viewer into it is most beneficial. The Kaplans research has found that office workers with a view of nature were happier and healthier at work. Exposure to natural environments of the most mundane sort has proven to lift people’s moods and enhance their ability to mentally focus.
Recent research of the Kaplans has also shown that exercisers who walk outside in pleasant environments tend to walk longer than those who walk inside or around their neighborhoods.
Environmental psychology
Environmental psychology is an interdisciplinary field focused on the interplay between humans and their surroundings. The field defines the term environment broadly, encompassing natural environments, social settings, built environments, learning environments, and informational environments...
. Professors of psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, the Kaplans are known for their research on the effect of nature on people’s relationships and health
Health
Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain...
. Their work on “restorative environments” and Attention Restoration Theory
Attention Restoration Theory
Attention Restoration Theory asserts that people can concentrate better after spending time in nature, or even looking at scenes of nature. Natural environments abound with "soft fascinations" which a person can reflect upon in "effortless attention", such as clouds moving across the sky, leaves...
has impacted on how landscape
Landscape architecture
Landscape architecture is the design of outdoor and public spaces to achieve environmental, socio-behavioral, or aesthetic outcomes. It involves the systematic investigation of existing social, ecological, and geological conditions and processes in the landscape, and the design of interventions...
and design professionals and others view humanity's relationship with nature. The Kaplans got involved in studying the effects of nature on people back in the 1970s with a US Forest Service grant to evaluate a challenge program in Michigan’s wilderness. This introduction went on to influence a generations worth of environmental psychologists and designers.
The Kaplans have found that too much focused attention
Attention
Attention is the cognitive process of paying attention to one aspect of the environment while ignoring others. Attention is one of the most intensely studied topics within psychology and cognitive neuroscience....
on anything can lead to mental fatigue and such fatigues remedy is found in exposure to nature. In order for nature to best work its relaxing effect it is preferable for a place to have a high fascination value. An environment that automatically pulls the viewer into it is most beneficial. The Kaplans research has found that office workers with a view of nature were happier and healthier at work. Exposure to natural environments of the most mundane sort has proven to lift people’s moods and enhance their ability to mentally focus.
Recent research of the Kaplans has also shown that exercisers who walk outside in pleasant environments tend to walk longer than those who walk inside or around their neighborhoods.