Stress recovery by exposure to nature in virtual reality

dc.contributor.authorVallo, Laura Elizabeth
dc.date.accessioned2017-04-24T15:32:33Z
dc.date.available2017-04-24T15:32:33Z
dc.date.graduationmonthMayen_US
dc.date.issued2017-05-01en_US
dc.date.published2017en_US
dc.description.abstractThe purpose of this research is to identify if virtual reality environments with varying degrees of exposure to nature influence stress recovery at different rates. In 1991, environmental psychologist and architect, Rodger Ulrich, conducted a study on how varying degrees of exposure to nature influences stress recovery by showing participants videos with different levels of nature. His research concluded that participants who viewed the tapes containing scenes with higher degrees of nature recovered from stress quicker than those shown the tapes with higher degrees of human intervention. To expand on this research, it is important to understand how different mediums influence stress recovery. In particular, analyzing how fully immersive virtual reality environments influence the amount of time it takes to recover from a stressor. Virtual reality is particularly beneficial for testing as it enables variable isolation and complete environmental control. A test similar to Ulrich’s was conducted in three parts, a baseline, a stressor, and a stress recovery period. Two environments with varying degrees of human intervention were tested. The virtual reality environments were strategically designed along a same path to minimize the addition of extraneous variables. During this test, biometric data was taken in addition to stated stress levels and stated affective response. The study concluded that regardless of the environment type, participants lowered their baseline stress level. This study represents one of the firsts of its type and can serve as a valuable learning mechanism for testing in virtual reality. Results show promise for mitigating stress levels. However, it is recommended that a similar study be replicated in a more refined manor. Lessons learned from this study could be used to inform future studies investigating the effect of VR environments on stress and mental health.en_US
dc.description.advisorBrent C. Chamberlainen_US
dc.description.degreeMaster of Landscape Architectureen_US
dc.description.departmentDepartment of Landscape Architecture/Regional & Community Planningen_US
dc.description.levelMastersen_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2097/35527
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.publisherKansas State Universityen
dc.subjectVirtual realityen_US
dc.subjectUnreal engine 4en_US
dc.subjectStress recoveryen_US
dc.subjectEnvironmental psychologyen_US
dc.subjectLandscape architectureen_US
dc.titleStress recovery by exposure to nature in virtual realityen_US
dc.typeReporten_US

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
LauraVallo2017.pdf
Size:
47.44 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.62 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description: