Contact with nature offers numerous benefits for humans. Some theories, including the Attention Restoration Theory (ART), indicate that one such benefit is the ability to concentrate better after spending time in nature. There are two components to attention: (1) involuntary attention, where attention is captured by intriguing stimuli; and (2) voluntary attention, where attention is particularly directed and effortful. ART recognizes that voluntary or directed attention is a finite resource and becomes fatigued due to the demands of every life. This fatigue manifests itself as an inability to concentrate. ART suggests that contact with nature may replenish directed, voluntary attention. While this idea is supported by research with adults, there remains “a lack of rigorous research on how contact with nature is associated with attentional performance in children.” This study addressed this concern.
Study participants (children age 8-15) completed a Combined Attention System Test (CAST) before and after a 30-minute walk in either an urban (n = 30) or natural (n = 30) environment. Groups were determined by random assignment. CAST is a state-of-the-art attention assessment using a game-like computerized tool to assess and isolate both endogenous and exogenous attention. The terms “endogenous” and “exogenous” reflect current theory about attention and are largely consistent with the terms “voluntary” and “involuntary”, respectively. CAST was chosen for this study because it addresses known limitations of other assessments used to measure attention and “because it separately measures exogenous and endogenous attention, and executive attention, which are central to examining the Attention Restoration Theory.” CAST measures three attentional networks: alerting, orienting, and executive attention.
Results at baseline (before the 30-minute walk) showed that the two groups demonstrated relatively similar endogenous alerting and orienting. After the 30-minute walk, results showed differences between the two groups. For the urban group, there was a reduction in endogenous alerting and orienting; for the nature group, there was an increase. “These patterns in endogenous alerting and endogenous orienting are consistent with a fatigued endogenous attention system in the urban group and a refreshed (or even enhanced) endogenous attention system in the nature group.”
These findings “indicate that even a relatively short exposure to nature (30-40 min) improves endogenous attention and a relatively short dose of an urban environment taxes endogenous attention in children.” While this study adds support to ART, it also makes a unique contribution to the literature. In addition to demonstrating a meaningful application of the CAST, this study is also “the first to differentiate the effects of exposure to nature on exogenous versus endogenous attention.” The findings highlight the potential of nature exposure for remediating attentional fatigue in children. “The results of this work should not only be used to support efforts to increase time children spend in nature, but to also consider ways to buffer the potential negative effects of urban exposure.”
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