Nature versus non-natural environments: Effects on stress and creativity

Amy J. Lim; Stephen M. Colarelli; Norman P. Li; Liqun Wei; Ming-Hong Tsai; Xiao-xiao Liu; Mark van Vugt

doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2026.102929

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Nature versus non-natural environments: Effects on stress and creativity

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Nature versus non-natural environments: Effects on stress and creativity

Amy J. Lim, Stephen M. Colarelli, Norman P. Li, Liqun Wei, Ming-Hong Tsai, Xiao-xiao Liu and Mark van Vugt

Journal of environmental psychology, Vol.110, 102929

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2026.102929

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Abstract

Built environment

Creativity

Evolutionary mismatch

Nature

Stress

We examined the effects of nature-based environmental stimuli versus evolutionarily novel built or abstract art environments on creative production in three experiments. In Study 1 (N = 85), we compared people's creative performance in rooms set up to display either a natural or built landscape. In Study 2 (N = 62), participants completed creativity tasks after taking a walk in an urbanized city district or after a walk in a forested park. In Study 3 (N = 108), using a longitudinal field experiment taking place over three months, we examined the creative performance of factory employees by comparing their normal unadorned workplaces with workspaces decorated with posters of nature or abstract art. Collectively, our findings show that nature exposure did not have a unique effect on creativity. Specifically, creative performance was similar across nature and in non-natural environmental stimuli. We discuss the implications of our findings and the importance of examining the effects of other environmental stimuli on creativity.

Details

Title: Nature versus non-natural environments: Effects on stress and creativity
Authors/Creators: Amy J. Lim - Murdoch University, School of Psychology
Stephen M. Colarelli - Singapore Management University
Norman P. Li - Central Michigan University
Liqun Wei - Singapore Management University
Ming-Hong Tsai - Hong Kong Baptist University
Xiao-xiao Liu - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Mark van Vugt - Xiamen University
Publication Details: Journal of environmental psychology, Vol.110, 102929
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd.
Number of pages: 24
Identifiers: 991005869305207891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Psychology; Murdoch University
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 6 Social Sciences; 6.223 Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism; 6.223.972 Urban Green Spaces
Web Of Science research areas: Environmental Studies; Psychology, Multidisciplinary
ESI research areas: Social Sciences, general