Nature as a potential modulator of the error-related negativity: A registered report

• Published in: International journal of psychophysiology 2020-10, Vol.156, p.49-59
• Main Authors: LoTemplio, Sara B., Scott, Emily E., McDonnell, Amy S., Hopman, Rachel J., Castro, Spencer C., McNay, G. David, McKinney, Ty L., Greenberg, Kevin, Payne, Brennan R., Strayer, David L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Attention Restoration Theory; EEG; ERN; Error-related negativity; Nature
• ISSN: 0167-8760; 1872-7697
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2020.06.014

According to Kaplan's Theory of Attention Restoration (ART), spending time in a natural environment can restore depleted cognitive resources. If this is true, then nature exposure may modulate the error-related negativity (ERN), a component of the event-related brain potential (ERP) that is related to cognitive control and attentional allocation. ART suggests that cognitive resources are restored because the cognitive control networks of the brain are less engaged in nature, suggesting that the ERN may decrease in nature. In the present study, we completed a registered report, examining whether or not spending time in nature would reduce the size of the ERN compared to outdoor testing. Instead, we found that nature significantly increased the amplitude of the ERN. The implications of these results are discussed within the ART framework. •Attention Restoration Theory suggests that cognitive control abilities are improved when participants spend time in nature•We examine whether or the ERN, a cognitive control component related to error-processing, will change as a result of nature exposure.•We find an increase in ERN amplitude when people are in nature, which we suggest reflects restored cognitive control