TY - JOUR
T1 - Understanding the perceived benefits of nature for creativity
AU - Ratcliffe, Ellie
AU - Gatersleben, Birgitta
AU - Sowden, Paul
AU - Korpela, Kalevi
N1 - Funding Information:
The data presented in this manuscript were collected during the first author’s PhD, which was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council [grant number ES/J500148/1, 2011‐2015]; the National Trust; and the Surrey Wildlife Trust. Data analysis and manuscript preparation were not supported by further funding.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Creative Behavior published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Creative Education Foundation (CEF)
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Experience of nature is widely linked to well-being, including psychological restoration. Benefits to creativity have been explored in a limited number of studies which refer to theories of restorative environments as frameworks, but it is unclear which aspects of the environment and person–nature transactions are implicated in these processes. In this study, N = 20 members of the British public were interviewed regarding the relevance of natural environments for their personal and professional creative activities. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts revealed that cognitive, affective, and aesthetic appraisals were reported as directly relevant to creativity in nature, while environmental properties, sensory experiences, and the self were reported as informing these appraisals. Similarities to theories of restorative environments were observed in terms of the relevance of affect, cognition, and aesthetics. However, divergences also occurred, especially with regard to perceptions of arousal as beneficial for creativity, the importance of change in the environment, and the relevance of the self. Studies and theoretical modeling of relationships between nature and creativity should include these concepts, as well as those from theories of restorative environments.
AB - Experience of nature is widely linked to well-being, including psychological restoration. Benefits to creativity have been explored in a limited number of studies which refer to theories of restorative environments as frameworks, but it is unclear which aspects of the environment and person–nature transactions are implicated in these processes. In this study, N = 20 members of the British public were interviewed regarding the relevance of natural environments for their personal and professional creative activities. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts revealed that cognitive, affective, and aesthetic appraisals were reported as directly relevant to creativity in nature, while environmental properties, sensory experiences, and the self were reported as informing these appraisals. Similarities to theories of restorative environments were observed in terms of the relevance of affect, cognition, and aesthetics. However, divergences also occurred, especially with regard to perceptions of arousal as beneficial for creativity, the importance of change in the environment, and the relevance of the self. Studies and theoretical modeling of relationships between nature and creativity should include these concepts, as well as those from theories of restorative environments.
KW - attention restoration theory
KW - creativity
KW - nature
KW - restorative environments
KW - stress reduction theory
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85116413191&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/1a8e5861-1ef6-3851-a5f5-f375744b6552/
U2 - 10.1002/jocb.525
DO - 10.1002/jocb.525
M3 - Article
JO - Journal of Creative Behavior
JF - Journal of Creative Behavior
SN - 0022-0175
ER -