Psychological Determinants of Aesthetic and Affective Preferences for Nature and Urban Scenes: Anxiety, Nature Exposure, and Mental Imagery

Artistic paintings and photographs are often used as alternatives to direct experiences of nature, and some may have restorative health effects not yet fully understood. This study examined if/how anxiety, sensory mental imagery, and prior exposure to nature impacted aesthetic and affective responses (AAR) to environmental scenes. Participants ( n = 368) evaluated nature and urban scenes via three sets of ratings: aesthetic (liking) and affective (perceived openness and anticipated relaxation). Results showed that the strength of visual mental imagery significantly predicted AAR. Prior exposure to nature modulated responses to some nature scenes but had no effect on urban scenes. Higher anxiety levels influenced some emotional responses but not aesthetic ones. Findings may have diagnostic implications for assessing elevated anxiety levels as well as for designing wellbeing-promoting spaces in areas where direct access to nature is limited, such as hospitals, detention centers, and underground workplaces.