Thursday 23 July 14:05
- 15:35
Hall: 24 - Room 3 SPT
Chair:
De Dominicis Stefano
Discussant:
Bonaiuto Marino
Division: Division 4: Environmental Psychology
Solid evidence from Environmental Psychology shows that contact with nature can improve affect, restoration, and self-regulation, but turning that knowledge into programs people can use every day is still uneven. This symposium tackles that gap by bringing together results from natural outdoor activity, biophilic retrofits, and virtual nature. The focus is on mechanisms, boundary conditions, and practical levers for health, education, workplaces, and cities.
Three features make the session timely. First, methodological triangulation: randomized cross-over, living-lab, and field studies that combine self-report with objective indicators (HR/HRV, cortisol, presence) and standardized exposure descriptors to support comparability and replication. Second, contextual breadth: green exercise, classroom biophilia, workplace micro-restoration, and multi-city nature-based solutions—so we talk about theory-driven adaptation,. Third, a state-of-the-art reflection on bridging the theory-practice gap and translation to practice and policy: clear design principles, reporting standards, and low-threshold, cost-aware pathways (e.g., modular biophilic upgrades; scheduled micro-restoration; using virtual nature when access is limited).
We also address equity and feasibility discussing topics that includes cost and maintenance, access barriers, and potential risks. We also consider who benefits most from the different applications, and how to avoid widening disparities when scaling up.
The target audience of this symposium includes environmental and health psychologists, behavioral scientists, occupational health professionals, educators, urban planners, and HCI/design researchers. Attendees will leave with: (a) new knowledge on mechanisms linking restoration, affect regulation, and connectedness to nature with specific behavioral outcomes; (b) decision guidelines for when to choose natural, biophilic, or virtual options; and (c) a short checklist for measurement, implementation, and equity safeguards.
Aligned with ICAP's "New Directions in Applied Psychology" and SDGs on health and wellbeing, quality education and climate action, the session aims for something practical: evidence-based, cost-aware, and ready for use newly developed insights and guidelines, while keeping appropriate scientific caution.
