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Caparos S, Boissin E. The relationships between urbanicity, general cognitive ability, and susceptibility to the Ebbinghaus illusion. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2024; 88:1540-1549. [PMID: 38581438 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-024-01959-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that, in samples of non-Western observers, susceptibility to the Ebbinghaus illusion is stronger in urban than rural dwellers. While such relationship between illusion strength and urbanicity has often been ascribed to external factors (such as the visual impact of the environment), the present study explored the possibility that it is instead mediated by general cognitive ability, an internal factor. We recruited a sample of remote Namibians who varied in their level of urbanicity, and measured their susceptibility to the Ebbinghaus illusion, their levels of education and literacy, and their general cognitive ability. The results showed that urbanicity was related to Ebbinghaus susceptibility, and that general cognitive ability, literacy and education did not mediate this effect, which is reassuring with regard to the findings of previous studies that did not control for these variables. However, we found robust relationships between urbanicity, on the one hand, and cognitive ability, education and literacy, on the other, which advocates for careful consideration of the impact of the latter variables in studies about the cognitive effects of urban environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serge Caparos
- Laboratoire DysCo, Université Paris 8, Serge Caparos, 2 Rue de la Liberté, Saint-Denis, 93200, France.
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France.
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Hirst RJ, Cassarino M, Kenny RA, Newell FN, Setti A. Urban and rural environments differentially shape multisensory perception in ageing. NEUROPSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENT, AND COGNITION. SECTION B, AGING, NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITION 2022; 29:197-212. [PMID: 33427038 DOI: 10.1080/13825585.2020.1859084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that the lived environment can affect cognition across the lifespan. We examined, in a large cohort of older adults (n = 3447), whether susceptibility to a multisensory illusion, the Sound-Induced Flash Illusion (SIFI), was influenced by the reported urbanity of current and childhood (at age 14 years) residence. If urban environments help to shape healthy perceptual function, we predicted reduced SIFI susceptibility in urban dwellers. Participants reporting urban, compared with rural, childhood residence were less susceptible to SIFI at longer Stimulus-Onset Asynchronies (SOAs). Those currently residing in urban environments were more susceptible to SIFI at longer SOAs, particularly if they scored low on general cognitive function. These findings held even when controlling for a several covariates, such as age, sex, education, social participation and cognitive ability. Exposure to urban environments in childhood may influence individual differences in perception and offer a multisensory perceptual benefit in older age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Hirst
- School of Psychology and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Marica Cassarino
- School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Rose Anne Kenny
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Mercer Institute for Successful Ageing, St. James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fiona N Newell
- School of Psychology and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Annalisa Setti
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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3
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Muayqil TA, Alhaidari GM, Alkuwaiz LA, Alotaibi NA, Awartani HK, Almufarrej AA, Alqarni GS, Alkeridy W, Alanazy MH. Effect of Culturally Mediated Right-Favoritism on the Direction of Pseudoneglect on Line Bisection Tasks. Front Psychol 2021; 12:756492. [PMID: 34744933 PMCID: PMC8569126 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.756492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Arabs have a right-to-left language and engage in favoring of the right side or limb when implementing daily routine practices. The purpose of this research is to explore the effect this cultural attitude might have on pseudoneglect, by comparing with a southeast Asian sample that has a left-to-right language structure. Methods: Participants were from two separate ethnic groups (Arabs and Filipinos), residing in Saudi Arabia, healthy individals 18 years and above were allowed to volunteer in the study. The participants were recruited at King Saud University Medical City and the general community by both convenience and snowball sampling. Social demographic information such as gender, age, years of education, dominant hand, was also documented. The line bisection task (LBT) contained 36 randomly assorted lines of three different lengths placed at five different locations on a white sheet. The percent deviation score (PDS) was used to quantify pseudo-neglect. Tests of statistical significance including t-tests and mixed-effects regression were performed to determine if differences existed among different demographic variables or among line properties, respectively. Results: A total of 256 were enrolled (Arabs 52.3%). The overall PDS mean and standard deviation (SD) was -0.64 (2.87), p = 0.0004, which shows a significant leftward deviation in the entire cohort. PDS was -1.26 (2.68) in Filipinos, and -0.08 (2.94) in Arabs. The difference was statically significant (p < 0.0001). Mixed effects model showed positive changes in the PDS value as the length of the line increased (p < 0.0001) and as the line was more rightward placed (p < 0.0001). However, Filipino participants would still exhibit negative changes in the PDS value in comparison to Arabs (p < 0.0001); There were no significant associations between PDS and other factors such as age, years of education and gender. Conclusion: Differences found here between two distinct ethnic groups support the hypothesis that certain cultural aspects such as language direction and other cultural practices influence direction and degree of pseudo-neglect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taim A Muayqil
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Nouf A Alotaibi
- College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | | | - Walid Alkeridy
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Medicine, Geriatric Division, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mohammed H Alanazy
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Trémolière B, Davidoff J, Caparos S. A 21st century cognitive portrait of the Himba, a remote people of Namibia. Br J Psychol 2021; 113:508-530. [PMID: 34747017 DOI: 10.1111/bjop.12539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This research sketches the cognitive portrait of the Himba, a remote population from Northern Namibia living in a non-industrial society almost completely devoid of modern artefacts. We compared the Himba sample to a French sample, exploring cognitive reflection, moral judgement, cooperative behaviour, paranormal beliefs, and happiness. We looked for both differences and similarities across cultures, and for the way cognitive functioning is associated with a range of demographic variables. Results showed some important group differences, with the Himba being more intuitive, more religious, happier, and less utilitarian than the French participants. Further, the predictors of these beliefs and behaviours differed between the two groups. The present results provide additional support to the recent line of research targeting cultural variations and similarities, and call for the need to expand psychology research beyond the Western world.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Serge Caparos
- DysCo, Université Paris 8, Saint-Denis, France.,Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
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Towards a unified understanding of lateralized vision: A large-scale study investigating principles governing patterns of lateralization using a heterogeneous sample. Cortex 2020; 133:201-214. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2020.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Linnell KJ, Caparos S. Urbanisation, the arousal system, and covert and overt attentional selection. Curr Opin Psychol 2019; 32:100-104. [PMID: 31430648 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2019.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Urbanisation is growing rapidly. We review evidence that this growth is altering the default information processing style of human beings by impacting both overt and covert processes of attentional selection (i.e. attentional selection with and without eye movements respectively), in ways consistent with reduced attentional engagement and increased exploration. While the factors and systems mediating these effects are likely to be many and various, we focus on one system which may be responsible for mediating effects on both covert and overt attentional selection. Specifically, the neuromodulatory locus coeruleus-norepinephrine (LC-NE) system is key to regulating cognitive function in a behaviourally relevant and arousal-dependent manner and therefore well suited to supporting adaptation to the profound socio-ecological changes inherent in urbanisation.
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Muayqil TA, Al-Yousef LM, Al-Herbish MJ, Al-Nafisah M, Halawani LM, Al-Bader SS, Almohideb FA, Aljomah LS, Aljafen BN, Alanazy MH. Culturally influenced performance on tasks of line bisection and symbol cancellation in Arabs. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-ADULT 2019; 28:257-268. [PMID: 31215237 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2019.1627359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to administer line bisection (LB) and symbol cancellation (SC) tasks on a sample of healthy Arabs in Saudi Arabia, to determine if normative performance would differ from that of the Western population. A total of 136 healthy individuals were enrolled. Deviation direction from the veridical center and percentage deviation scores (PDS) were determined for LB. The overall performance on SC was calculated. Differences according to gender, education and age were measured. Out of the 2,287 times lines were bisected, 1025 (44.82%) deviated rightward (p < 0.0001). Mean (SD) PDS showed a rightward bias 1.57(3.4), (p < 0.0001). Rightward deviation odds modestly increased with age (OR 1.04, P 0.038). In SC, 63% started searching from the left and 67.5% used a horizontal strategy. The mean (SD) performance score was 0.468 (0.248) with no significant cancellation asymmetry. Female gender, education, and age significantly associated with performance. No correlation was found between the two tasks (p = 0.09). Line bisection error biases in Arabs are opposite of Western biases. Scanning for symbols started on the left side; however, this was smaller than that seen in existing Western reports. Normative performances are different from Western studies, but similarly influenced by the same demographic variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taim A Muayqil
- Neurology Division, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | | | - Lubna M Halawani
- College of Medicine, Princess Noura Bint AbdulRahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Lama S Aljomah
- College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bandar N Aljafen
- Neurology Division, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed H Alanazy
- Neurology Division, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Schmitz J, Kumsta R, Moser D, Güntürkün O, Ocklenburg S. DNA methylation of dopamine-related gene promoters is associated with line bisection deviation in healthy adults. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5902. [PMID: 30976054 PMCID: PMC6459813 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42553-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Handedness and language lateralization are the most investigated phenotypes among functional hemispheric asymmetries, i.e. differences in function between the left and the right half of the human brain. Both phenotypes are left hemisphere-dominant, while investigations of the molecular factors underlying right hemisphere-dominant phenotypes are less prominent. In the classical line bisection task, healthy subjects typically show a leftward attentional bias due to a relative dominance of the right hemisphere for visuospatial attention. Based on findings of variations in dopamine-related genes affecting performance in the line bisection task, we first tested whether DNA methylation in non-neuronal tissue in the promoter regions of DBH, SLC6A3, and DRD2 are associated with line bisection deviation. We replicated the typical behavioral pattern and found an effect of DNA methylation in the DBH promoter region on line bisection deviation in right-aligned trials. A second exploratory analysis indicated that an overall DNA methylation profile of genes involved in dopamine function predicts line bisection performance in right-aligned trials. Genetic variation in dopamine-related genes has been linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a neurodevelopmental trait associated with rightward attentional bias. Overall, our findings point towards epigenetic markers for functional hemispheric asymmetries in non-neuronal tissue not only for left hemisphere-dominant, but also for right hemisphere-dominant phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Schmitz
- Biopsychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Robert Kumsta
- Genetic Psychology, Department of Psychology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Dirk Moser
- Genetic Psychology, Department of Psychology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Onur Güntürkün
- Biopsychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sebastian Ocklenburg
- Biopsychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
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The local perceptual bias of a non-remote and educated population. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2019; 84:1211-1222. [PMID: 30806811 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-019-01158-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In 1977, Navon argued that perception is biased towards the processing of global as opposed to local visual information (or the forest before the trees) and implicitly assumed this to be true across places and cultures. Previous work with normally developing participants has supported this assumption except in one extremely remote African population. Here, we explore local-global perceptual bias in normally developing African participants living much less remotely than the African population tested previously. These participants had access to modern artefacts and education but presented with a local bias on a similarity-matching Navon task, contrary to Navon's assumptions. Nevertheless, the urban and more educated amongst these participants showed a weaker local bias than the rural and less educated participants, suggesting an effect of urbanicity and education in driving differences in perceptual bias. Our findings confirm the impact of experience on perceptual bias and suggest that differences in the impact of education and urbanicity on lifestyles around the world can result in profound differences in perceptual style. In addition, they suggest that local bias is more common than previously thought; a global bias might not be universal after all.
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Brederoo SG, Nieuwenstein MR, Cornelissen FW, Lorist MM. Reproducibility of visual-field asymmetries: Nine replication studies investigating lateralization of visual information processing. Cortex 2019; 111:100-126. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2018.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Cassarino M, Setti A. Complexity As Key to Designing Cognitive-Friendly Environments for Older People. Front Psychol 2016; 7:1329. [PMID: 27625629 PMCID: PMC5003839 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The lived environment is the arena where our cognitive skills, preferences, and attitudes come together to determine our ability to interact with the world. The mechanisms through which lived environments can benefit cognitive health in older age are yet to be fully understood. The existing literature suggests that environments which are perceived as stimulating, usable and aesthetically appealing can improve or facilitate cognitive performance both in young and older age. Importantly, optimal stimulation for cognition seems to depend on experiencing sufficiently stimulating environments while not too challenging. Environmental complexity is an important contributor to determining whether an environment provides such an optimal stimulation. The present paper reviews a selection of studies which have explored complexity in relation to perceptual load, environmental preference and perceived usability to propose a framework which explores direct and indirect environmental influences on cognition, and to understand these influences in relation to aging processes. We identify ways to define complexity at different environmental scales, going from micro low-level perceptual features of scenes, to design qualities of proximal environments (e.g., streets, neighborhoods), to broad geographical areas (i.e., natural vs. urban environments). We propose that studying complexity at these different scales will provide new insight into the design of cognitive-friendly environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marica Cassarino
- School of Applied Psychology, University College CorkCork, Ireland
| | - Annalisa Setti
- School of Applied Psychology, University College CorkCork, Ireland
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging, Trinity College Dublin, The University of DublinDublin, Ireland
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Weick M, Allen JA, Vasiljevic M, Yao B. Walking blindfolded unveils unique contributions of behavioural approach and inhibition to lateral spatial bias. Cognition 2015; 147:106-12. [PMID: 26658021 DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2015.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Revised: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Healthy individuals display a tendency to allocate attention unequally across space, and this bias has implications for how individuals interact with their environments. However, the origins of this phenomenon remain relatively poorly understood. The present research examined the joint and independent contributions of two fundamental motivational systems - behavioural approach and inhibition systems (BAS and BIS) - to lateral spatial bias in a locomotion task. Participants completed self-report measures of trait BAS and BIS, then repeatedly traversed a room, blindfolded, aiming for a straight line. We obtained locomotion data from motion tracking to capture variations in the walking trajectories. Overall, walking trajectories deviated to the left, and this tendency was more pronounced with increasing BIS scores. Meanwhile, BAS was associated with relative rightward tendencies when BIS was low, but not when BIS was high. These results demonstrate for the first time an association between BIS and lateral spatial bias independently of variations in BAS. The findings also contribute to clarify the circumstances in which BAS is associated with a rightward bias. We discuss the implications of these findings for the neurobiological underpinnings of BIS and for the literature on spatial bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Weick
- School of Psychology, University of Kent, UK.
| | | | | | - Bo Yao
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, UK
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Hayes DJ, Berman MG. Editorial: Nature and the Environment: The Psychology of Its Benefits and Its Protection. Front Psychol 2015; 6:1804. [PMID: 26635700 PMCID: PMC4658421 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Hayes
- Department of Psychology, The University of Chicago Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Marc G Berman
- Department of Psychology, The University of Chicago Chicago, IL, USA
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Logan AC, Katzman MA, Balanzá-Martínez V. Natural environments, ancestral diets, and microbial ecology: is there a modern "paleo-deficit disorder"? Part I. J Physiol Anthropol 2015; 34:1. [PMID: 25636731 PMCID: PMC4318214 DOI: 10.1186/s40101-015-0041-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Famed microbiologist René J. Dubos (1901-1982) was an early pioneer in the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) construct. In the 1960s, he conducted groundbreaking experimental research concerning the ways in which early-life experience with nutrition, microbiota, stress, and other environmental variables could influence later-life health outcomes. He also wrote extensively on potential health consequences of a progressive loss of contact with natural environments (now referred to as green or blue space), arguing that Paleolithic experiences have created needs, particularly in the mental realm, that might not be met in the context of rapid global urbanization. He posited that humans would certainly adapt to modern urban landscapes and high technology, but there might be a toll to be paid in the form of higher psychological distress (symptoms of anxiety and depression) and diminished quality of life. In particular, there might be an erosion of humanness, exemplified by declines in altruism/empathy. Here in the first of a two-part review, we examine contemporary research related to natural environments and question to what extent Dubos might have been correct in some of his 50-year-old assertions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan C Logan
- CAMNR, 23679 Calabasas Road Suite 542, Calabasas, CA, 91302, USA.
| | - Martin A Katzman
- START Clinic for Mood and Anxiety Disorders, 32 Park Road, Toronto, ON, M4W 2 N4, Canada.
| | - Vicent Balanzá-Martínez
- Department of Medicine, Section of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University of Valencia Medical School, Avda. Blasco Ibáñez, 15, E46010, Valencia, Spain.
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