Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-11-2025

Abstract

The link between greenery in schools and cognitive performance is underexplored, even with evidence of its benefits in other settings. Research indicates that adding green plants to an office can improve mood and lower stress (Bergefurts et al., 2021). This study explored the factors behind the psychological benefits of indoor plants on executive function in college students. The study proposed two competing hypotheses based on Attention Restoration Theory (ART) and Enrichment Theory. Hypothesis I: Based on the Attention Restoration Theory, integrating plants into the classroom benefits students’ executive function by giving them a sense of relief from fatigue. Hypothesis II: Derived from the Enrichment Theory, integrating plants into the classroom benefits students’ executive function due to the perceived feeling of well-being and environment comfort. The study is a 2x2 between-subjects factorial design, in which participants were exposed to environments with or without plants and with or without organizational enrichment. Participants were undergraduate and graduate students 18 years or older. Executive function was measured using the Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART), while mood was measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). To measure Enrichment, the study used a modified Nieuwenhuis questionnaire (Nieuwenhuis et al., 2014). Separate Repeated Measures ANOVAs were used to analyze accuracy and reaction time (RT) differences from the SART across conditions and time. There was no significant main effect of time, condition, or time by condition interaction on response accuracy. The same results were found for reaction time. Results show no significant effect of plant presence or workspace organization on executive function as measured by SART task performance. Regarding enrichment, participants reported perceived levels of Fatigue, Concentration Problems, Decreased Motivation, and Physical Activity after tasks 1 and 2. A One-Way ANOVA revealed no differences at T1 for all four indicators. Similar results were found at T2, except that there was a significant effect of condition on motivation at T2. Post hoc tests showed that participants in the stationary office items condition had reduced motivation compared to those in the plant & movable office items condition. This could potentially be related to them having the option to move the items to their liking. These findings suggest that while indoor plants may not directly enhance executive function in short tasks, their presence, combined with an enriched environment, results in less motivation loss compared to traditional office items.

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