No abstract

The present study evaluated images of environments in three categories with different affective and restorative valences through two computerized assessments. A non-verbal computerized response scale and the Mexican Scale of Environmental Restoration Perception were employed. 104 students assessed the affective qualities of 117 images (47 natural, 37 urban with nature, and 33 built-up without nature) according to pleasure and activation dimensions. Then 96 students assessed 54 images with high and low valence for their restorative quality. Natural images were found to generate positive affective reactions of liking and activation and high restorative quality. Affective responses to urban with nature environments tended to be positive with moderate restorative quality. Built-up without nature environments were perceived as less pleasant and had low restorative quality. However, among built-up without nature environments, some settings with striking architectural qualities evoked positive affective valences.

Highlights Mean number of fixations, fixation durations and pupil dilation were calculated for high and low restorative potential scenes. There were significantly more fixations for low restorative than for high restorative scenes. Fixation times had the predicted inverse relationship, with low restorative settings having a significantly shorter time per fixation than high restorative scenes. Higher measures of pupil dilatation were related to the view of high restorative potential vs. low restorative potential environments. Eye movements related to photographs, low on fascination, were characterized by a greater exploration and a greater number of fixations compared to those which rated high on fascination.