Conceptualising creativity benefits of nature experience: Attention restoration and mind wandering as complementary processes

Kathryn J.H. Williams, Kate E. Lee, Terry Hartig, Leisa D. Sargent, Nicholas S.G. Williams, Katherine A. Johnson
2018 Journal of Environmental Psychology  
Accumulating evidence indicates that time spent in natural environments promotes creativity, but few researchers have considered how this occurs. We evaluate two candidate mechanisms, attention restoration and mind wandering. We compare the accounts in terms of attentional focus, brain network activation, cognitive effects, and the temporal progression of these processes across the stages of creativity. Based on this analysis, we propose that (1) gentle shifts between externally oriented soft
more » ... scination and internally oriented mind wandering can occur during nature experience; (2) this provides the basis for mutually reinforcing pathways that enhance attention control following nature experience; and (3) mind wandering might support additional benefits for creativity, including flexibility and new associations of ideas. We propose research to test the proposed pathways, including the conditions under which environments influence creativity, the ebb and flow of attention orientation during environmental experience, and the links between attentional focus, brain network activation and creativity. Activation of default network; deactivation of dorsal attention network (endogenous orienting of attention) Key incubation mechanism Improved conscious work following incubation period, through reduced fatigue Unconscious work enables new association of ideas, perhaps through spreading activation Key creativity mechanisms Improved attention control Associative processes connect ideas in new ways Use multiple measures of creativity and related cognitive capacities to test for specific outcomes Nature experience and mind wandering When does mind wandering occur during nature experience, and how does this relate to soft fascination? Experience sampling, retrospective self-report of mind wandering, eye tracking studies Brain network activity, nature experience and creativity What brain networks are activated during nature experience, and how do these relate to subsequent creative performance? Brain imaging using virtual environments, or portable EEG in field settings. Affective processes, nature experience and creativity How do changes in mood associated with nature experience (e.g. reduced negative affect) influence cognitive capacities and creativity? Assess for changes in mood over time, in association with changes in cognitive flexibility and creative performance.
doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2018.08.005 fatcat:45oxcognenb2fksk6fsy5e5gey