An occasion for unselfing: Beautiful nature leads to prosociality

Past studies have documented interpersonal benefits of natural environments. Across four studies, we tested the hypothesis that exposure to more beautiful nature, relative to less beautiful nature, increases prosocial behavior. Study 1 yielded correlational evidence indicating that participants prone to perceiving natural beauty reported greater prosocial tendencies, as measured by agreeableness, perspective taking, and empathy. In Studies 2 and 3, exposure to more beautiful images of nature (versus less beautiful images of nature) led participants to be more generous and trusting. In Study 4, exposure to more beautiful (versus less beautiful) plants in the laboratory room led participants to exhibit increased helping behavior. Across studies, we provide evidence that positive emotions and tendencies to perceive natural beauty mediate and moderate the association between beauty and prosociality. The current studies extend past research by demonstrating the unique prosocial benefits of beautiful nature. Published by Elsevier Ltd. “In the woods we return to reason and faith. There I feel that nothing can befall me in life e no disgrace, no calamity (leaving me my eyes), which nature cannot repair. Standing on the bare ground e my head bathed in the blithe air and lifted into infinite space e all mean egotism vanishes.” Ralph Emerson. Nature (1983, p. 39)