A cognitive analysis of preference for field-and-forest environments

Natural environments fascinate human beings (R. Kaplan, 1983; S. Kaplan, 1977; S. Kaplan and Talbot, 1983). They like natural environments better than urban environments (Kaplan, Kaplan, and Wendt, 1972). Not surprisingly, many attempts by planners to improve urban environments have involved introducing elements of the natural environment into the urban setting. Herzog, Kaplan, and Kaplan (1982) have shown quite clearly that nature within an urban setting forms a distinct category in the minds of observers, a category rated higher in preference than all the other urban categories they investigated. Thus it is known that nature in general is highly valued and that it can be used to improve urban environments.