A1 Journal article (refereed)
Aesthetics and Affordances in a Favourite Place : On the Interactional Use of Environments for Restoration (2020)

Besson, A. M. (2020). Aesthetics and Affordances in a Favourite Place : On the Interactional Use of Environments for Restoration. Environmental Values, 29(5), 557-577. https://doi.org/10.3197/096327119X15678473650893

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Besson, Anu M.

Journal or series: Environmental Values

ISSN: 0963-2719

eISSN: 1752-7015

Publication year: 2020

Volume: 29

Issue number: 5

Pages range: 557-577

Publisher: White Horse Press

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3197/096327119X15678473650893

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Abstract

Research indicates that nature offers many physical and mental health benefits, including restoration - or recovery from mental fatigue. However, questions remain about what exactly in one's environment is experienced as restorative and why. Bridging environmental aesthetics, environmental psychology and cultural studies, this study establishes a connection between landscape and mindscape as seen, for instance, in the ways in which an orderly environment is interpreted as an orderly state of mind and vice versa. Using data drawn from a qualitative survey targeting expatriate Finns, the article mobilises content analysis to interpret the results and concludes that a 'favourite place' is aesthetically appealing, enables actions that are experienced as restorative and is as much an interpretation of a space as a physical place.

Keywords: natural environment; place; space; aesthetic nature; mental well-being; recovery (return); aesthetics; environmental aesthetics

Free keywords: aesthetic experience; environmental aesthetics; environmental preference; favourite place; restoration

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2020

JUFO rating: 2