Research Design Connections: Nature Name Benefits

by Sally Augustin, Ph.D. | February 7th, 2022

Hahnel-Peeters and colleagues investigated the implications of using nature words in names; their findings confirm the psychological value of in-nature experiences.  The researchers report that “In Study 1, we conducted a content analysis of the naming conventions of apartment buildings and residential neighborhoods. We hypothesized that there would be more nature words (e.g., valley, river, arbor) in apartment and neighborhood names than no-nnature words (e.g., 4th Street; Renaissance, Washington). . . . Results strongly supported our hypothesis; There were 52% more nature words than non-nature words in the names of apartment buildings and residential neighborhoods. Study 2 . . . [investigated] if apartments and neighborhoods with nature names were perceived as more valuable than those without nature names. Participants rated five photographs of apartments and five photographs of neighborhoods photoshopped to display nature or non-nature names. . . . Apartments and neighborhoods with manipulated nature names were rated as statistically …