Engaging the brain: the impact of natural versus urban scenes using novel EEG methods in an experimental setting

Abstract

Copyright © 2013 Jenny J. Roe et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 94 Jenny J. Roe et al. Background Researchers in environmental psychology have consistently shown the restorative potential of natural – over urban- settings using video/photographic experiments in laboratory settings applying subjectively rated scales. But few studies have employed objective indicators of emotional response. This study investigates the use of electroencephalography (EEG) as a method to understand how the brain engages with natural versus (vs) urban settings – in tandem with subjective preferences. Methods Using Emotiv EPOC, a commercial and low-cost EEG recorder, participants (n=20) viewed a series of urban vs landscape scenes with proven reliability in restorative environments research. The equipment provided continuous recordings