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on mental imagery (Hagerhall et al. 2015, p. 3). The authors found that the brain
responded differently to statistical and exact fractals. Statistical fractals resulted in
the highest alpha waves in the brain, suggesting that they attract effortless attention,
enabling the mind to think about other things (Hagerhall et al. 2015). Taylor et al.
(2011) tracked participants’ eye movements with eye-tracking technology as they
scanned a Jackson Pollock painting. The eye movement trajectories, themselves,
had a D score of 1.4, and were not related to the D score of the Pollock painting
being observed. The authors suggest that fractal patterns with mid-range D scores
of 1.5 have a ‘resonance’ with the brain’s own visual processing, which could contribute to the experience of perceptual fluency. This match between the fractal
dimensions of the image and the brain’s visual processing could account for aesthetic preference (Taylor et al. 2011).
7.2.4 Biophilia Hypothesis
Biophilia is “the innately emotional affiliation of human beings to other living
organisms” (Wilson 1993, p. 31). This affiliation motivates humans to seek contact
with animals, plants and landscapes (Sundli Tveit et al. 2013). The Biophilia
Hypothesis emphasises human beings’ positive response to nature, which can be
manifest as a preference for specific animals, plants or environments (Hartig et al.
2011). Defining features of the Biophilia Hypothesis are highlighted in Box 7.1.
The Biophilia Hypothesis posits there is an innate, genetic basis for this affiliation with nature (Wilson 1984, 1993). Biological evolution is the process of continuous genetic adaptation to the environment; organisms that are better suited to
the environment have a higher survival rate, which gives a genetic advantage compared to organisms that are less suited to their environment. As such, personenvironment interactions that have an adaptive value will be genetically retained
(Wilson 1984, 1993). Genetic adaptation to the environment arises from behaviours
learned through human-nature interactions (Wilson 1993). Interacting with nature
results in learnt emotional responses, which can range from attraction to aversion,
from peacefulness to anxiety (Wilson 1993). Behavioural responses, such as
approaching or avoiding a stimulus, result from these emotions (Wilson 1993).
Box 7.1: Defining Features of the Biophilia Hypothesis
• Humans have an innate, emotional connection to life and life-like
processes
• This affinity motivates contact with animals, plants and natural
landscapes
• Emphasises positive responses to nature, manifest as preference for nature
M. R. Marselle
on mental imagery (Hagerhall et al. 2015, p. 3). The authors found that the brain
responded differently to statistical and exact fractals. Statistical fractals resulted in
the highest alpha waves in the brain, suggesting that they attract effortless attention,
enabling the mind to think about other things (Hagerhall et al. 2015). Taylor et al.
(2011) tracked participants’ eye movements with eye-tracking technology as they
scanned a Jackson Pollock painting. The eye movement trajectories, themselves,
had a D score of 1.4, and were not related to the D score of the Pollock painting
being observed. The authors suggest that fractal patterns with mid-range D scores
of 1.5 have a ‘resonance’ with the brain’s own visual processing, which could contribute to the experience of perceptual fluency. This match between the fractal
dimensions of the image and the brain’s visual processing could account for aesthetic preference (Taylor et al. 2011).
7.2.4 Biophilia Hypothesis
Biophilia is “the innately emotional affiliation of human beings to other living
organisms” (Wilson 1993, p. 31). This affiliation motivates humans to seek contact
with animals, plants and landscapes (Sundli Tveit et al. 2013). The Biophilia
Hypothesis emphasises human beings’ positive response to nature, which can be
manifest as a preference for specific animals, plants or environments (Hartig et al.
2011). Defining features of the Biophilia Hypothesis are highlighted in Box 7.1.
The Biophilia Hypothesis posits there is an innate, genetic basis for this affiliation with nature (Wilson 1984, 1993). Biological evolution is the process of continuous genetic adaptation to the environment; organisms that are better suited to
the environment have a higher survival rate, which gives a genetic advantage compared to organisms that are less suited to their environment. As such, personenvironment interactions that have an adaptive value will be genetically retained
(Wilson 1984, 1993). Genetic adaptation to the environment arises from behaviours
learned through human-nature interactions (Wilson 1993). Interacting with nature
results in learnt emotional responses, which can range from attraction to aversion,
from peacefulness to anxiety (Wilson 1993). Behavioural responses, such as
approaching or avoiding a stimulus, result from these emotions (Wilson 1993).
Box 7.1: Defining Features of the Biophilia Hypothesis
• Humans have an innate, emotional connection to life and life-like
processes
• This affinity motivates contact with animals, plants and natural
landscapes
• Emphasises positive responses to nature, manifest as preference for nature
M. R. Marselle