The Restorative Impacts of Nature on Distributed Attention and Working Memory: An Eye-Tracking Analysis

Dehn, Dakota

The Restorative Impacts of Nature on Distributed Attention and Working Memory: An Eye-Tracking Analysis

Persistent URL

http://hdl.handle.net/10456/35944

Author(s)

Dehn, Dakota

Date Issued

March 31, 2014

Abstract

The main goal of the present study was to examine the impacts of viewing different scenes on attention and memory while also implementing an eye-tracking analysis to assess how attention was distributed across those scenes. Extending upon previous research demonstrating the restorative impacts of nature scenes on working memory and attention, the present study developed a method of analysis using fixations and fixation durations to assess visual behavior when viewing different scenes. A 2x2 mixed design was used with picture type (nature vs. city scenes) as the between-subjects variable and time (pre vs. post) as the within-subjects variable. Twenty-two participants took part in assessments measuring recall and attention. They were then randomly assigned to view a series of nature scenes or a series of city scenes. Participants then completed the assessments measuring recall and attention a second time. Results indicated there was no difference in recall across time. Results also showed picture type had no impact on recall. Finally, no difference in the distribution of attention in both picture type conditions was found in the eye-tracking analysis. Overall, the findings failed to replicate previous research, suggesting the use of an eye-tracker might have an impact on the results. However the development of the distributed attention analysis provides an informative tool for future research.

First Reader(s)

Knupsky, Aimee C.