Research Design Connections: At-Work Nature
Loder and Stoner review studies related to nature (plants, nature views, etc.) in work environments. They share, for example, that “Research has shown that contact with nature can improve task performance, usually through increased attention and focus. This is often evaluated with cognitive tests that measure productivity through proxy measures, such as the speed of completion for tasks, classic cognitive load tests (often working memory), error rate, short-term memory, and higher order mental functions.” Another example of content included: “Research has shown that contact with nature can reduce stress and improve mood, often through the restorative qualities of nature. . . . Mental restoration is often evaluated both through psychological measures such as psychological tests or questions that evaluate mental health, such as levels of stress, depression, anxiety, or mood, as well as physiological tests that evaluate the body’s response to stress, such as high blood pressure, cortisol levels (used …
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