Speculation on the Mechanism of Interior Space Construction and Emotional Recovery in the Context of Environmental Psychology
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62051/20pvv249Keywords:
Environmental psychology; Interior space design; Emotional recovery; Affect regulation; Place attachment; Biophilic design; Healing environments.Abstract
Environmental psychology has developed the research field of how an indoor environment affects emotions and stress-relief in people. Based on the circumplex model of affect, place attachment theory, biophilic design and neurophysiological approaches to environment-emotion interaction, this paper investigates the connection between the creation of indoor space and emotional recovery. Interior Spaces do not only offer a background for people's lives but also influence their emotions through changes in levels of arousal, valence, perceived control and a sense of belonging. The four reasons for emotional relief through the space are: a decline in physiological arousal; distraction of attention; sense of place belonging; and sensory harmony. Based on research in environmental psychology, it also puts forward design suggestions and offers a speculative system for understanding how interior spaces can be designed to be emotionally nourishing in daily life, healthcare, and work.
Downloads
References
[1] Russell, J. A. (1980). A circumplex model of affect. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 39(6), 1161–1178. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.39.6.1161 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/h0077714
[2] Bower, I., Tucker, R., & Enticott, P. G. (2019). Impact of built environment design on emotion measured via neurophysiological correlates and subjective indicators: A systematic review. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 66, 101344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2019.101344 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2019.101344
[3] Scannell, L., & Gifford, R. (2021). Place attachment in green buildings: Making the connections. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 74, 101591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101591 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101558
[4] Soga, M., Gaston, K. J., & Yamaura, Y. (2017). Gardening is beneficial for health: A meta-analysis. Preventive Medicine Reports, 5, 92–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2016.11.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2016.11.007
[5] Tawil, N., Sztuka, I. M., Pohlmann, K., Sudimac, S., & Kühn, S. (2021). The living space: Psychological well-being and mental health in response to interiors presented in virtual reality. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(23), 12510. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312510 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312510
[6] Pasini, M., Brondino, M., Greco, A., & Gianfranco, B. (2021). A participatory interior design approach for a restorative work environment: A research-intervention. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 718446. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.718446 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.718446
[7] Ulrich, R. S., Simons, R. F., Losito, B. D., Fiorito, E., Miles, M. A., & Zelson, M. (1991). Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 11(3), 201–230. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(05)80018-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(05)80184-7
[8] Bower, I. S., Clark, G. M., Tucker, R., Hill, A. T., Lum, J. A. G., Mortimer, M., & Enticott, P. G. (2022). Built environment color modulates autonomic and EEG indices of emotional response. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 16, 902286. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2022.902286 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.14121
[9] Kaplan, S. (1995). The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(3), 169–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-4944(95)90001-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-4944(95)90001-2
[10] Ulrich, R. S. (1984). View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. Science, 224(4647), 420–421. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.6143402 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.6143402
[11] Park, S.-H., & Mattson, R. H. (2009). Ornamental indoor plants in hospital rooms enhanced health outcomes of patients recovering from surgery. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 15(9), 975–980. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2008.0342 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2009.0075
[12] Hong, Y.-K., Cho, J.-Y., et al. (2025). A study of interior design elements promoting the perception of healing considering gender and age: A multi-domain approach. Building and Environment, 271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.112489 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.112649
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Transactions on Social Science, Education and Humanities Research
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
