Effects of Viewing Nature Images on Online Navigation in Control Group & ADHD Adults

Abstract

This study explores the effect of viewing digital nature imagery prior to attempting a web-based navigation task, to see if such exploration would improve the completion success rates and task speed for a group of 22 control participants and ten participants that self-identify as having ADHD. First, 110 people rated free nature images from pexel.com using the shortened version of Karpela and Hartig’s Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS). To prevent fatigue, each participant only reviewed 10 randomized images out of 50 total. In the second stage of the study, 22 additional adult control participants and 10 additional ADHD participants performed short wayfinding tasks on four websites--two photo/video e-commerce sites and two library sites. For one of the e-commerce sites and one of the library sites, participants viewed 25 nature photos before performing the wayfinding tasks. The order of the websites was randomized to limit order bias. On each website, a participant conducted a known-item search and a browsing task. Finally, participants answered brief questions about their experience post- participation. Significant differences were found in the eye movements between the control and ADHD group, as well as their calmness ratings of nature. Viewing nature also had some significant effects on task performance and efficiency for both groups, with the largest effects being seen in those with ADHD during known-item task search.