How do nature type and expertise impact restorative perceptions and eye movements? A between‐subjects eye‐tracking study

Abstract Previous research has shown that natural environments and landscape‐related expertise affect psychological restoration and visual behaviour. However, little is known about how subtle differences in naturalness across similar settings, and the role of expertise, influence restorative benefits and eye movements. This study addresses these gaps by investigating how different nature settings—wild nature, tended nature (includes plaza, lawn, path, pool and waterfall settings), and urban environments—influence human preferences, restorative perceptions and eye movements. A between‐subjects experimental design was used, with 280 participants randomly assigned to one of seven landscape settings (40 participants per setting). Eye movements were tracked during the experiment to assess visual engagement. The study found that the type of setting significantly influenced preferences, restorative potential and outcomes. Wild nature, along with two tended nature settings (pool and waterfall), was rated higher in restorative potential compared with urban and plaza settings by both expert and non‐expert groups. No significant differences were observed between pool, waterfall and wild nature settings in these ratings. While expertise influenced preferences in lawn, path and waterfall settings, it did not significantly impact perceptions of restorative potential or outcomes in most settings. Furthermore, settings had a stronger effect on eye movements in non‐experts, with notable differences in eye movement behaviour between the two groups. This study emphasizes the importance of designing landscapes that cater to the diverse needs and preferences of different user groups. The findings contribute to the interdisciplinary field of people–nature relationships, providing insights for landscape architecture, urban planning and public health. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.