Publications

Asta Lisauskienė

LRT.lt

Asta Lisauskienė, a researcher at ISM University, had long observed how significantly the environment influences people and their decisions. Her curiosity about this phenomenon led her to academia, where, alongside other researchers, she conducted two widely recognized experiments exploring the hypothesis of nature as a reward. The findings confirmed that exposure to beautiful natural settings or aesthetically pleasing visuals, even in abstract form, increases productivity and motivation. We discussed how these insights can be applied to daily life.

- How did you and your colleagues come up with the idea to test the hypothesis of nature as a reward?

- I approached this topic very intentionally. For over 15 years, I’ve worked as a property valuer, participating in some of the most significant purchasing decisions people make. I observed how many irrational choices people make when buying homes. The question “why?” led me to doctoral studies at ISM University of Management and Economics, where researchers have been studying environmental psychology, the relationship between humans and their surroundings, and its effects for decades.

My doctoral research aims to analyze how the environment affects us, with a focus on improving productivity in the workplace. Specifically, what can we do to feel better and work more efficiently in our workspaces?

Nature is a key to unlocking productivity. When creating high-quality spaces, incorporating elements of nature is crucial. A great example is Amazon’s Spheres office, where stunning green spaces are provided for employees to work in. In Lithuania, we also see nature and plants integrated into offices, though these are often viewed more as decorative features than productivity - enhancing elements. However, science requires more than intuition - it demands measurable effects through rigorously controlled studies. This is precisely what we’re doing in ongoing research.

- Could you explain your research and its objectives in simple terms?

- One of the main theories in environmental psychology is the attention restoration theory, which suggests that being in nature helps restore depleted cognitive resources. Natural environments demand less focused attention and tension, allowing a person to rest and recharge their mental capacities. This effect is most often observed in experiments comparing activities conducted in natural and urbanized settings, with results overwhelmingly favoring nature.

In our studies, we aim to demonstrate that nature can act as a reward or a motivator. When performing monotonous or mentally taxing tasks for an extended period, there is a natural desire for hedonic stimulation - for engaging in a more enjoyable activity. Our hypothesis is that if people experience something pleasant before or during a task, this desire can be postponed or even eliminated entirely.

Experimental results show that participants who view beautiful natural scenes during breaks while performing tedious tasks tend to persist longer than those exposed to less aesthetically pleasing images. In one experiment, we tested not only the impact of nature but also the influence of beautiful imagery on productivity. Participants performed repetitive button - pressing tasks, with one group viewing objectively beautiful abstract fractals during breaks and another group viewing pixelated versions of the same fractals. The group exposed to beautiful visuals voluntarily worked significantly longer.

Our analysis suggests that even brief encounters with nature or beauty before work can increase motivation and perseverance. Our next step is to test how nature and beautiful visuals influence people performing increasingly complex tasks.

- What benefits of nature have you personally experienced, and how do you incorporate them into your life?

- Learning about the research findings - that natural elements enhance quality of life and productivity - naturally led me to incorporate more natural furniture, interior details, and plants into my home and workplace.

During the pandemic, amid heightened stress and anxiety, time spent in nature was a true lifeline. Nature helps us perceive ourselves as part of the world, calming us, bringing joy, and reducing stress levels. Studies show that spending time in nature slows our heart rate, lowers blood pressure, strengthens the immune system, and improves mental health. Therefore, spending more time and exercising in the fresh air should be everyone’s goal.

- What discovery surprised you the most?

- When analyzing various studies on visual information, I was struck by how participants in experiments only viewed images for 1 - 4 seconds, yet researchers still measured significant effects. Initially, it seemed implausible that someone could absorb and process information from an image in such a short time. However, human brains are extraordinary, instantly processing and reacting to stimuli. This confirms how much the environment impacts us.

Another surprising fact was the wide spectrum of sensitivity to the environment. Some people notice every detail in a café’s interior, while others struggle to recall the color of their bedroom walls. This variation is normal and stems from individual life and childhood experiences. The good news is that we can learn to become more observant with conscious effort, and it’s worth doing so. Regardless of our sensitivity, the environment affects us all.

- What advice would you give for improving quality of life based on your research findings?

- First and foremost, observe and become aware of the environment around you. Next, consciously shape, create, and adjust it. Lastly, bring more natural elements into your surroundings to experience the benefits of nature, even unconsciously. Research shows that even abstract elements of beauty positively affect us. Therefore, I encourage everyone to mindfully design beautiful spaces in their homes and workplaces. Most importantly, spend as much time in nature as possible.

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