Psychology, Department of
Introduction to Nature and Psychology : Biological, Cognitive, Developmental, and Social Pathways to Well-being
ORCID IDs
0000-0003-2375-1360
Date of this Version
2021
Document Type
Article
Citation
Schutte, A. R., Torquati, J. C., & Stevens, J. R. (2021). Introduction. In A. R. Schutte, J. C. Torquati, & J. R. Stevens (Eds.), Nature and Psychology: Biological, Cognitive, Developmental, and Social Pathways to Well-being (pp. 1–6). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69020-5_1
Abstract
A substantial body of empirical research has documented benefits of spending time in nature for humans, including improved mental and physical health, recovery from stress, enhanced cognitive functioning, and improved academic achievement, for example. Researchers have used diverse methodologies to investigate the effects of nature exposure on human well-being and have drawn on a variety of theories to guide their inquiry. Participants in the 67th Nebraska Symposium on Motivation exemplify this diversity in methodology and theory, and their chapters in this volume synthesize the current state of the field with respect to psychology and nature and also offer intriguing avenues for future research and theory.