The Impact of Moving through the Built Environment on Emotional and Neurophysiological State - A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Despite theoretical evidence about the capabilities of visual properties of space for manipulating inhabitants' emotions, a gap in knowledge exists for empirical studies in controlled environments. Interdisciplinary studies at the intersection of architecture, psychology, and neuroscience can provide robust guidelines and criteria for designers to engineer emotions. Due to the novelty of the field, the theoretical framework for such studies is not well established. Consequently, this paper presents a systematic literature review to find and synthesize recent relevant studies at this intersection. Based on these findings, we will investigate the impact of other visuo-spatial stimuli on emotions in a rigorous way. According to the theories of emotions, manipulation of emotions is linked to oscillations in physiological responses caused by exposure to sensory stimuli. Moreover, there is a consensus that human perception is action-oriented. Therefore, our review focuses on studies that employ biosensors as subjects move in physical or virtual environments.