places that make us - national trust places · places that make us feel calm or provide us with...
TRANSCRIPT
I. Foreword
II. Executive summary
III. Research approach
IV. fMRIfindings: i. Deepemotionalprocessing;Amygdala ii. Positiveornegativeresponse;MedialPrefrontalCortex iii. Thoughtsaboutoneselfinthisplace;ParahippocampalPlaceArea
V. Qualitativeandquantitativefindings i. Whattypeofplacesdopeopleconnectwith? ii. Howareconnectionsformed? iii. Feelingsevoked iv. Benefitsofvisitingplaces v. Passingonandsharingplaces vi. Protectingmeaningfulplaces
VI. Conclusions
VII. Appendix
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Contents
2Places that make us - Research report
Foreword
‘The need of quiet, the need of air, and I believe the sight of sky and of things growing, seem human needs, common to all.’OctaviaHillwrotethesewordssevenyearsbeforeshefoundedtheNationalTrust.Itwasabeliefthatinspiredandguidedtheorganisationthattodaycaresfor775milesofcoastline,over248,000hectaresoflandandover500historichouses,castles,ancientmonuments,gardens,parksandnaturereserves,forever,foreveryone.
Today,weoperateinaverydifferentworldtotheoneOctaviaknewbuttheenduringhumanneedfortheseplacesisasstrongasever.Placesthatmakeusfeelcalmorprovideuswithspacetothink;placeswefeeladeeppulltowardsorthathaveaphysicaleffectonuswhenwevisit;placeswherewefeel‘athome’orthatmakeusfeelcomplete;placestorestoreusorinspireus.
Thepoet,W.H.Audencoinedtheword‘Topophilia’in1948todescribethewaypeopleexperienceastrongsenseofplace;oftenbecomingmixedwiththeirsenseofidentityandanunderlyingsenseofbelonging.
Wesetouttoexploreandunderstandthisvisceralbutintangiblefeelingmoredeeply.Workingwithleadingresearchersandacademics,andusingcutting-edgefMRIbraintechnology,weexaminedhowplacesaffectpeople,howtheybecomespecialandwhywefeelapulltowardsthem.
ThefindingsofthisresearchhavereinforcedwhatOctaviainstinctivelyunderstoodabouttheimportanceofplacesinshapingourlives.Placesmakeuswhoweare,andwerelatetotheminanemotional,spiritualandphysicalway.TheNationalTrust’sworkhelpscareforthenation’sspecialplacesforever,foreveryone.
Nino Strachey, Head of Research and Specialist Advice for the National Trust
Topophilia
(from Greek topos “place” and -philia, “love of”)
People make places and places make people
3Places that make us - Research report
II. Executive summary
From the place of your earliest memory to a setting which invokes memories of a loved one, we all have places that are intensely meaningful to us. There are places where we feel calm or that provide us with space to think; places we feel a deep pull towards or that have a physical effect on us when we visit; places where we feel ‘at home’ or that make us feel complete.
ThisvisceralbutintangiblefeelingissomethingtheNationalTrustsetouttoexplore;tounderstand the depth of people’s connection with place.
This is the first piece of research of its kind andhasrevealedthatmeaningfulplacesgenerateasignificantresponseinareasofthebrainmostcommonlyassociatedwithpositiveemotions;demonstrating the strong emotional connection between people and places.
WorkingwithleadingacademicsattheUniversityofSurrey*andresearchexpertsatWalnutUnlimited,theNationalTrustcommissionedanin-depthstudyintotwokeyareas:
1. Neurophysiologicalandemotionalresponses(facilitatedbyFunctionalMagneticResonanceImaging,fMRI)
2. Behaviouralresponses
Prof.Opitz,UniversityofSurrey
*TheUniversityofSurrey’sdepartmentofPsychologyhasanestablishedneuroscienceresearchdepartmentandisamemberoftheCombinedUniversitiesBrainImagingCentre(CUBIC).ProfessorBertramOpitz,wholedonthisstudy,iswell-knownandrespectedinhisfieldofNeuroimaging&CognitiveNeuroscience.
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II. Executive summary
Neurophysiologicalevidence
• Theresearchhasrevealedforthefirsttimethatkey areas of emotional processing in the brain are activatedbyaplacedeemedtobespecialbyanindividual,supportingthefeelingsofadeepvisceralconnection
• Identifyingareasinthebrainthatrespondedtoaplacewithpersonalmeaning,wedemonstratedthat the brain generates an automatic positive emotional response to such places
• Thisresponsetospecialplaceswasfoundtobemuchhigherintheamygdala(akeyareainthebrainknowntoprocessemotion)thanourresponsetomeaningfulobjects,suchasaweddingringorphotograph
• Therefore,wecanconcludethatsignificant places more likely contain greater emotional importance than objects,asareasinourbraininvolvedinemotionalprocessingrespondmorestronglytosignificantplaces
• Placeswithmeaningevokepowerfulemotionalreactions,indicatingthatplacescanbemorethanjustphysicalspaces.These emotional reactions have an impact on us physically and psychologically
• Theresearchhighlightedthatpersonallyrelevantplacesare able toelicitthoughtsaboutoneselfbeinginthisplace,suggestingthatwetransportourselvesmentallybacktoplacesofmeaning
Behaviouralevidence
• Wehaveseenthatplacesevokepowerfulemotionalreactionswhichhavepsychologicalbenefits,buttheseplacesalsoencouragebehavioural responses that have the potential to benefit others as well
• Wehavefoundthattheconnectionspeoplehavewithplacesdevelopsindifferentwaysandatvariouspointsintheirlives.Thereasons behind these connectionscanbecategorisedas:
• Furthermore,thereisarealsenseofbelonging and self-identityevokedbyplacesthataremeaningful.8outof10describetheirplaceasbeingpartofthem(86%)and58%agreethatthey‘feellikeIbelong’whenvisitingthisplace
• Thisfeelingcanbesharedwithothersas75%agreethattheywouldliketopassontheirloveoftheirplacetosignificantothersandthereisalsoadesiretosharetheconnectiontheyhavewiththeplacewithothers(79%)
• Theresultsindicatethatplacessupportusinfourareas;mental wellbeing, nostalgia, security and survival
• Formany,thestrengthoftheconnectionwithplacesmanifeststhrougha strong desire, and need, to protect these places for future generationswith61%sayingthattheydotrytoprotecttheplacethatismostimportanttothem
• 92%agreethattheywouldbeupsetiftheplacewaslost.Thisis strongest amongst those whose meaningful place is rural (95%) compared to urban (91%) places
- Connections to their formative years - Connection to significant others - Places for the here and now
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II. Executive summary
Thisresearchhasdemonstratedthatthereisastrongphysicalandemotionalconnectionbetweenplacesandpeople–andthattheseplaceshaveapositiveeffectonourwellbeing.
ThefindingsofthefMRIstudyprovethatmeaningfulplacesgenerateasignificantemotionalresponseincoreemotionprocessingareasofthebrain,whichisconsistentwiththephysicalsensationspeopleexperienceintheseplaces;suchasjoy,calmandfeelingenergised.
This research underlines the importance of caring for special places for future generations to enjoy.
Dolmelynllyn,SouthSnowdonia
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II.ExecutiveSummary
To explore the concept of love of place (topophilia; the idea that people have deep visceral reactions when visiting special places), the National Trust worked with the University of Surrey and external research partner, Walnut Unlimited.
III. Research approach
Theresearchtookthree different approachestounderstandtheemotionalconnectionbetweenpeopleandplace:
1. fMRI(functionalmagneticresonanceimaging)
2. Qualitative
3. Quantitative
Foreachphase,meaningfulplacesweredefinedasplaceslocatedoutsideofthehomei.e.notaperson’shome,thattheyhaveastrongemotionalconnectionwith.Theseincludedwoodlandareas,coastalareas,buildingsandhistoricsites.
HeddonValley,Devon
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1.fMRIresearch:Theneuralcorrelatesofconnectionwithplace
Therehasbeenlittleacademicresearchintotheactualemotionaleffectthatplaceshaveonpeople.Togainadeeperunderstandingofourphysiologicalresponse,weusedfMRItotrackregionalchangestoareasofthebrainassociatedwithemotionalprocessing.1
WithfMRIwecanvisualisethewholebrain,allowingusto look intoareasknownforprocessingemotionsuchastheamygdala.Specificallyconcentratingouranalysisontheseareasallowsustounderstandtheemotionaleffectsofplace.
Weknowthatincreasedactivityinaparticular brain regionrequiresincreasedlevelsofoxygen(suppliedbyblood)tothatregion.Bytrackingregionalchangesintheoxygensupplytothebrainwe were able to investigateneurophysiologicalresponsestospecialplacesintheregionsassociatedwithemotionalprocessing.2
‘fMRIopensawindowintothebrainallowingustoexploreautomaticandhardtoverbaliseemotionalresponses.’ Prof. Opitz, University of Surrey
III. Research approach
The fMRI study was carried out with Professor Opitz fromtheUniversityofSurreyandtheCUBICfMRIfacility.Twentypeopleparticipatedinthestudy.Theparticipantsviewedthreedifferenttypesofimagesinarandomorder:
1. Imagesoftenplacesandtenobjectsmeaningfultothem(suppliedbytheparticipantspriortoscanning)
2. Imagesoftencommonplacesandobjects(everydayplacesandobjects)
3. TenpositiveandtennegativeInternationalAffectivePictureSystemimages(IAPS)thathadbeenquantifiedfortheiremotionalcontent.3
Eachimagewaspresentedthreetimes.Thedifferenttypesofimagesselectedandusedinthisstudyallowedustocreatecontrastingconditionstouncovertheneuralunderpinningsofourneedforplace,provingconnectionstomeaningfulplaceswentbeyondthepureemotional.
Prof.Opitz,UniversityofSurrey
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3.Quantitativeonlinesurvey:Measuringthelinkbetweenpeopleandplaces
Anationallyrepresentativesampleofover2,000peoplecompletedanonlinesurveytoquantifythelinkbetweenpeopleandplaces.Respondentswereaskedtodescribeasignificantplace,whereitisandwhyitisspecialtothem.Withtheirmeaningfulplaceinmind,wethenaskedthemaseriesofquestionstoexplorethebenefitsandfeelingsevoked.Oncethisemotionalvaluehadbeencaptured,wesoughttounderstandwhatitwouldmeantopeopleifthisplacenolongerexistedandhowimportantitwastoprotectthisplace.
III. Research approach
2.Qualitativein-depthinterviews:Understandingthelanguage
Thisstageofresearchinvolvedin-depthinterviewswith11membersofthepublicwhowereamixofNationalTrustmembersandnon-memberstocollectrichaccountsoftheirconnectionswithplacesclosetotheirheart.Ultimately,wewantedtounderstandthelanguageusedwhentalkingabouttheirmeaningfulplaces.
The11membersofthepublicwerefromdifferentpartsofEngland,WalesandNorthernIreland,ofdifferentagesanddifferentlifestages.
Wemeteachmemberofthepublictwice.Thefirstvisitinvolvedaninterviewattheirhometotalkaboutplacesthatareimportanttothem.Thesecondvisitinvolvedtakingthemtooneoftheirspecialplaces.Tocapturetheexcitementandemotionsnaturally,thestorytellerswerenottoldwhichoftheirplacestheywouldbetakento.
RiverStouratFlatford,Suffolk
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IV. fMRI findings: i. Deep emotional processing; Amygdala ii. Positive or negative response; Medial Prefrontal Cortex iii. Thoughts about oneself in this place; Parahippocampal Place Area
Formby,Liverpool 12
II.ExecutiveSummaryIV.fMRIfindings
Whatdoweknowabouthowthebrainprocessesplacesofimportance?
Itisclearthatpeoplehaveastrongconnectionwithplace.However,wewantedtoexploretheneurologicalunderpinningofthisrelationship.
UsingfMRIwewereabletounderstandhowpeople’sbrainsreacttoimagesofplacesthataremeaningfultothem.
ToexplorethisrelationshippeoplewereshownthreedifferenttypesofimagesinthefMRIscanner:
1. Imagesofplacesandobjectsmeaningfultothem
2. Imagesofcommon/everydayplacesandobjects
3. PositiveandnegativeIAPSimagesknowntogenerateageneralemotionalresponse
Identifyingtheemotionalresponsetospecialplacesinthebrain:
Bysearchingforareasinthebrainthatwere(significantly)moreengagedwhenseeingplaceswithapersonalsignificanceandcomparingthiswithimagesofcommon,everydayplaces,weidentifiedthreeresponseareasofthebrain:
1. Leftamygdala
2. Medialprefrontalcortex(mPFC)
3. ParahippocampalPlaceArea(PPA)fMRIresearchinprogress
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1.Deepemotionalprocessing;Amygdala
Thefirstareaidentifiedinouranalysiswastheamygdala.Widelyacceptedasplayingakeyroleintheautomaticprocessingofemotion,4thisrelativelysmallbrainregionislocateddeepwithinthebrainandmeasuresjustoveracentimetre.5Itisfundamentaltoourautomatic,unconsciousprocessingofemotion.Withconnectionsacrossthewholebrainandthroughoutourbody,itistheamygdalathatmakesusfeeltheintensityofouremotionalresponse.Fromthealertbodilystateofthefamousautomaticfightorflightresponse6toupliftingfeelingofhappinessandpleasure,7theamygdalaiscentraltotheintensityofthisemotionalresponse.
Amoredetailedanalysisoftheactivityinthisbrainareawascarriedouttounderstandhowtheamygdalarespondedtothedifferentimagespeoplesaw.Inlinewithpreviousresearch,thepositiveandnegativeIAPSimagesusedinourstudyelicitedthelargestresponse.Thisexpectedresponsedemonstratesthattheamygdalaisrespondinginourstudysignificantlytoimagesthathaveemotionalcontent.
Wealsofoundthatspecialplaceselicitasignificantlyhigherresponseintheamygdalathancommonplaces.Thissuggeststhatthe mere image of a place that is meaningful is able to trigger an automatic, unconscious emotional response in the amygdala. Weobservedthiseffectintheleftamygdala,whichisconsistentwithexistingstudieswhichshowsthattheleftamygdalarespondspreferentiallytopositiveimagery.9
Butisthisresponseintheamygdalauniquetoplacesorisitjustaresponsetoimagerythatmeanssomethingtous?
Herewefoundtwopiecesofevidencethatsuggestthattheamygdalarespondsinaspecificwaytoplaceswithmeaning:
• Firstly, we did not find that meaningful objects elicit a larger response to common objects, i.e. the effect we saw for places was not found for objects
• Secondly, the response in the amygdala to meaningful places was significantly higher than to meaningful objects
IV.fMRIfindings
Thissuggeststhatourautomaticemotionalresponsetoplaceswithmeaninggoesbeyondgeneralpersonalrelevance.Placesthatarespecialtousgenerateastrongerautomaticemotionalresponsethatisnotseenformeaningfulobjects.Therefore,itmaybearguedthatplacescontainagreaterdegreeofemotionalchargethanobjects.
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2.Evaluatingthepositiveornegativeresponse;MedialPrefrontalCortex
Thesecondbrainareaidentifiedwhenseeingimagesofpersonallyemotiveplaceswasthemedialprefrontalcortex(mPFC).Whiletheamygdalaidentifiesthatthereissomethingthatneedstoberespondedto,itisthemPFCthatevaluatesthesituation;forexamplewhetheritisapositiveornegativesituation,orwhetheritevokesfeelingsofsimilarexperiences,andsoon.
Locatedontheinsideofourfrontallobe,themFPCisanareaknowntobemoreengagedduringtheprocessingofpositivepictures,self-relevantimageryandemotionalappraisal(D’Argembeauetal.,2007;Kensinger&Schacter,2006;Wraseetal.,2003)aswellas memory10processing.Here,aswiththeamygdala,wesawasignificantlystrongerresponsetoplaceswithmeaningthancommonplaces.Consistentwithpreviousstudies,buthereshownwithplaces,thisresultsuggeststhattheplaceswithmeaningtriggertheprocessingofpositiveexperiencesassociatedwithplace.ActivityinthemFPCtomeaningfulplacessuggeststhatthepositivememoriesandfeelingsweassociatewiththatplaceareaccessedandbecomeconscious.
‘Itisclearthatthebraintreatsplacesthataremeaningfulverydifferenttocommonplaces.Meaningfulplacesgenerateastrongemotionalresponse’ Prof. Optiz. University of Surrey
IV.fMRIfindings
Activity in the mFPC to meaningful places suggests that the positive memories and feelings we associate with these places are accessed and become conscious.
Dr.Myers,WalnutUnlimited,workingwiththeUniversityofSurrey
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3.Elicitingthoughtsaboutoneselfbeinginthisplace;ParahippocampalPlaceArea
ThefinalbrainareashowingastrongresponsetoplaceswithmeaningwastheParahippocampalPlaceArea(PPA).Previousstudieshavealreadyidentifiedthatthisregionrespondspreferentiallytoplace,ratherthanothertypesofimageryoremotionalcontent.11 OuranalysisfoundthatresponseinthePPAwassignificantlyhighertomeaningful,comparedtocommonplaces.Whilethisplacespecificresponseisinlinewithpreviousfindings,wesuggestthatpersonallyrelevantplaceselicitedthoughtsaboutoneselfbeinginthisplace.
Later in this report we will see that people report a wide variety of intense emotional feelings in response to a meaningful place. The fMRI results demonstrate a strong neurophysiological basis for this.
Itisclearthatkeyareasofemotionalprocessingareactivatedbyspecialplaces.Firstly,wehaveseenevidencethattheamygdalageneratesanautomaticemotionalresponsetotheseplaces.Moreover,wehaveshownthatourfeelingsaremadeconsciousthroughmPFCbyaccessingmemoriesoftheplaceandappraisingthesituationsassociatedwiththatplace.Finally,evennon-emotionalprocessingareasappeartoplayanimportantrole,elicitingthoughtsaboutoneselfbeinginthisplace.
‘OurfMRIstudyhasestablishedthatviewingimagesofmeaningfulplacescreateasignificantemotionalresponseincoreemotionprocessingareasofthebrain,andthisisalsoconsistentwiththephysicalsensationstheseplacesmakepeoplefeel.’ Prof. Optiz. University of Surrey
IV.fMRIfindings
Consistent with our earlier hypothesis, there is a deep underlying connection between people and places, something that can be triggered by a mere image of the place itself.
Furthermore,wehypothesisedthatthefeelingsevokedunderliethisdeepvisceralconnectionwithaplace,aphysicalbodilyresponsethattheystruggledtoarticulate.
Thisideaisconsistentwithourcurrentknowledgeofthebrainregionsdiscussed.Whiletheamygdalaresponseisoneoftheneuralmarkersofthisphysicalbodilyresponse,themPFCismorerelatedtotheverbaldescriptionofpeople’sfeelings,whichemergesinourqualitativefindings.
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V.Qualitativeandquantitativefindings
i. What type of place do people connect with?
Peoplevisitthousandsofplacesoverthecourseoftheirlives,however,noteveryplacewevisitbecomesmeaningful.
So, what sits at the heart of our connection to place? What is it that gives a place significance? And what effect does this have on people?
Thetypesofplacespeoplespokeaboutwereeitherurban
42%orsemi-ruralandnaturalplaces
21%Semi-urbanandurban placesincludesportsvenues,schoolsandaperson’shometown.
Semi-ruralandrural placesincludewoodlands,statelyhomes,mountainsandbeaches.
OtherplacesmentionedincludedgenerallocationsintheUK(8%),forexample“Yorkshire”or“Northumberland”,andplacesfurtherafieldandoutsideoftheUK(28%),suchas“Greece”.
Cotehele,Cornwall
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ii. How connections are formed
Theconnectionspeoplehavewithplacesdevelopindifferentwaysandatvariouspointsintheirlives.
The reasons behind these connections can be categorised as:
42+5837+6341+59
42% Connectionstotheformative years
37% Connectionstosignificantothers
41% Connectionswiththehereandnow
Throughouttheyearspeoplearedrawnbacktotheplacestheyhaveaconnectionwith.
Whilsteachoftheseconnectionsaredifferent,andthenumberoftimesapersonvisitsvaries,theyareequallysignificantinpeople’sconnectionswithplaces.Whatiscommonacrossalltypesofconnectionisthedesiretobeabletovisittheirplacesmoreoften.
Thisdesireindicatesthestrengthoftheconnectionpeoplehavewiththeirmeaningfulplaceandthevalueitholdsforthem.
Q8.Typeofconnectionwiththeirmeaningfulplace
(figure1a)
V.Qualitativeandquantitativefindings
BaggyPoint,Devon
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How often participants visit their special place each year(Averagenumberofvisitsperyear) –Splitbythetypeofconnection
Averagefrequencycurrentlyvisitperyear Averagefrequencywouldliketovisitperyear
15% 46%
11%
30%
42%
81%
Connectionstotheformativeyears
Connectionstosignificantothers
Connectionswiththehereandnow
Q9/10.Frequencycurrentlyvisitandwouldliketovisitmeaningfulplace(Averageno.peryear)
(Figure1b)
V.Qualitativeandquantitativefindings
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Connectionstotheformativeyears
Connectionswiththeseplacesfocusonnostalgiaandmemoriesofyearsgoneby.Thelinkwithplacesfromtheformativeyearsisverystrong,with42% of people having a connection for a places link to their formative years.
Theseplaceshaveremainedastableforceinpeople’sever-changing,andsometimesturbulentandstressful,lives.Peoplefondlyreminisceaboutatimewhentheyfeltastrongsenseofbelongingandidentityorastrongsenseofself-discovery.
‘IfirstremembercomingtoWycollervillagewhenIwas6or7.I’vegotalotofmemorieshereofplayingamongsttheruins,withmybrotherandsisters,whilemyparentswatched me. It has made me who I am today,andwheneverIvisitthosememoriescomefloodingback.’ Frances, Lancashire
Connectionstosignificantothers
Over a third of people (37%) say that their connection with a place is meaningful because of its link to a significant other. Theirconnectionsareformedthroughasharedexperiencewithfamilymembers,friendsorpartners.
Thosewithsignificantothershavefoundaplacetoenjoyandnourishtogether.Theplacehashelpedthemlearnabouteachother,theirrelationshipandthemselves.Thisplaceactsasaconstantremindertoaspecialtimewithsignificantothers.
‘MorecombeBeachmeanssomuchtomeandmyfamily,wescatteredmymum’sasheshereandItoowantmyashesscatteredherewithher.IfeelastrongspiritualconnectionwithMorecombePromenadeespeciallynowthatmumrestshere.’ Ian, Lancashire
42+5842% Connectionstotheformative years
37+6337% Connectionstosignificantothers
V.Qualitativeandquantitativefindings
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Connectionstothehereandnow
Placescanbecomespecialtousatanytimeanddon’talwayscentreonsignificantpeopleormomentsinourlife,with41% of people saying that their place is meaningful because of its connections with the here and now.
Theseplacesareoftenrecentdiscoverieswhichareenjoyedandappreciated.Theytendtobefrequentlyvisited(onaverage30timesayear)eitheralone,withfamilyorwithpets.Theseplaceshavelessofaback-storyforthepeoplethatvisit,however,theyarestillemotivebecauseofthebenefitstheyoffer(e.g.mythinkingplace,myrelaxingplace,mynearbyplace,myplaceforactivities,myplacetomarvelatthenaturallandscapesetc.).
Placesdescribedasbeingmeaningfulforthehereandnowaremorelikelytoberuralplaces(32%)thanothertypesofconnection,suchasaparkornaturereserve(7%)alakeorcanal(5%)orabeach(4%).Thesearegenerallylocaltotheperson’shomemakingthemmoreeasilyaccessible.TheyalsoincludedUrbanlocations(32%)thatarefrequentlyvisitedandoftenlocalsuchasasportsvenue(5%:e.gcricketstadium/footballground)orReligioussite(4%:e.g.Church/Mosque/Temple).PlacesoutsideoftheUKwerealsocitedasbeingimportantforthehereandnow(26%)suchasaholidayhomeorwherefamilylive.
The features of these places add to why it is defined as special e.g. the climate, the presence of animals and wildlife or the awe inspiring natural scenery. Above all, these places provide a sense of safety, pleasure, escapism, reflection or a place to appreciate nature.
‘SouthNorwoodCountryParkgivesmeandmyfamilysomuch.Whetherwewanttogocycling, goblackberrypicking,goforaBBQorplayagame,it’sthereforus.’ Bello, London
41+5941% Connectionswiththehereandnow
Toconnectwithaplace,itmustservesomesortofpurpose,beittohelpusconnectwiththepast,withotherpeopleorthepresent.
Howconnectionsareformedsupportstheideathatnotalltheplaceswevisitbecomemeaningful.Theconnectionwehavewithplacesinfactchangesovertime.Theplaceswearecurrentlyconnectedtointhehereandnowwilleventuallybecomeassociatedwithnostalgiaandtheformativeyears.
HanburyHall&Gardens,Worcestershire
V.Qualitativeandquantitativefindings
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iii. Feelings evoked
Thereisadeepunderlyingemotionalreactionthatdrivesaconnectionwithaplace.
Over three quarters of people (79%) report experiencing an internal pull that drives them to visit their meaningful place.
Thisisstrongestamongst35-54yearolds(82%).
Wecanhypothesisethatthefeelingsaplaceevokesunderpinsthisdeepvisceralconnectionandcanrangefromfeelingsofcalm,joyandcontentmenttoenergy,discoveryandasenseofidentityandbelonging.
Calm
Two thirds (64%) agree that their meaningful place makes them feel calm(32%citefeelingsofcalmasthefirstemotionthatcomestomindwhenthinkingabouttheirspecialplace).
Feelingcalmisstrongestamongstthosewhoseconnectiontotheplaceisforthe‘hereandnow,’withalmostthreequarters(72%)agreeingthattheirplacemakesthemfeelcalm.Thatiscomparedto62%ofthosethatareconnectedtoaplacebecauseofsignificantothersand53%connectedforitsconnectiontotheformativeyears.
‘ItfeelslovelyandtranquilatBushyPark,thesoundofbirdsandstreamsrelaxmeandeasemeintoachilledstateofmindwhereIcanforgetaboutthedailygrind.’ Nina, London
V.Qualitativeandquantitativefindings
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Joyandcontentment
Three in five (63%) agreeing that they experience feelings of joy and contentment when visiting their place.Almostathirdofpeople(29%)citeafeelingof‘joy’asthefirstwordthatcomestomindwhenthinkingabouthowtheirplacemakesthemfeel.
Thefeelingofjoyisnotonlyexpressedinwords,butalsoinbodylanguageandexpressionssuchassmilingoranimprovedmood.Itisasenseofreliefandreleasefromeverydaylife.Thisfeelingofjoyisfurtherheightenedthroughtheappreciationoftheplace,itsbeautyandtheactivitiesthatareavailable.Placesthattriggerthejoyemotioncontributetothembecomingspecialtous.
‘ThefeelingsIgetwhenatBoxHillIdon’tgetanywhereelse.Itmakesmewanttorelivesomanymomentsandjustmakesmefeelreallyhappyandexcitedinside.’ Hannah, Surrey
Energy
Visitingthesespotsgivespeopleanewleaseoflifeandhelpsre-energisethem,with28% of people mentioning that their place makes them feel energisede.g.exhilarated,youthful,invigorated,excited.Thisisstrongestamongstyoungerpeople-overhalfof18-34yearoldsagreethattheirplacemakesthemfeelexcited,comparedto40%of55+yearolds.Itmaybethatwhiletheconnectionapersonhaswithaplaceissimilaracrosslifestages(forexampleinhowtheconnectionisformed),itmanifestsitselfdifferentlyacrossagegroups.
Whatpeopledoattheiremotiveplacediffersbyageprofile.Youngerpeoplearelookingformoreofanactiveexperiencecomparedtotheoldergeneration,whoaregenerallymorereflective.Wehaveseenolderadults(55+yearolds)aresignificantlymorelikelytofeelnostalgic(68%vs.57%)andreflective(61%vs55%)comparedto18-34yearolds.
‘BlowingoffsteambymarchinguptheMendipHill,seeingtheincredibleviewandfeelingthewindinmyhairjustmakesmefeelalive.’ Kathryn, West Country
AfonTarellRiver,BreconBeaconsNationalPark,Wales
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Discovery
Meaningful places offer an opportunity for personal discovery, as well as the discovery of beauty and nature.Explorationoftheplaceandthepotentialforadventureisanencouragingprospect,with14% mentioning feelings of discovery.
Discoveryalsofuelstheappreciationforplaceandmaintainsexcitementforrepeatvisits,aspeopleareinterestedtoseesomethingnewordifferent.Althoughthephysicalstructuremaynotappeartochange,theplacemaychangethroughouttheseasonsandoverthecourseoftheyear,whichgivespeopleareasontoreturn.
‘CastleRoadistheplacethathelpeddefineme,andmademediscovermyfullpotential.’ Corinne, Lancashire
Identityandbelonging
Thereisarealsenseofbelongingandattachmentwithplacesthataremeaningfultopeople.Eightoutoftendescribetheirplaceasbeingpartofthem(86%)and58%agreethatthey‘feellikeIbelong’whenvisitingthisplace.Thisunderpinsthisphysicalpullthatpeoplefeel,as15%mentionasenseofbelongingwhenthinkingabouthowtheirplacemakesthemfeel.
Youngerpeoplearemorelikelytofeeltheirspecialplaceisapartoftheiridentity,with67%agreeingthat‘thisplacehasshapedwhoIam’.
Percentage agree that the statement describes what their meaningful place means to them:
86+1476+2458+42+58+42+
86% Ifeellikethisplace is a part of me
76% VisitingthisplacesaysalotaboutwhoIam
58% Iwouldn’tbewhoIamtodaywithoutthisplace
58% Thisplacehasshapedwho I am
Q14.Whatdoestheplacemeantoyou?–Identityandbelongingstatements
(figure1)
V.Qualitativeandquantitativefindings
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iv. Benefits of visiting places
Thefeelingsofcalmandjoythatpeopleexperienceattheirspecialplacesupportstheirmentalwellbeingandabilitytoachievetheirgoals.
Whenpeoplespokeofplacesthathadanemotionalmeaningtothem,theyspokeabouthowitplayedapart in re-evaluating their stresses and worries, providing solitude and an opportunity for ‘me-time’.Spendingtimeataquietandrelaxingplacefacilitatesself-reflection,rejuvenationandmeditation.Uponleavingtheirmeaningfulplace,peoplereturntotheirday-to-dayfeelingrefreshedandre-energised.
Many people feel that their special place helps to ground them.Itprovidesasenseofidentity,whileremindingthemofhowfartheyhavecome.Thisisoftenaidedbyahigherviewoverlookingavalleyandputtinganyproblemsorworriesintoawidercontext.Thisisgenerallyfoundtobethecaseinmoreruralandoutdoorspacesbecausecollectively,thefreshairandheightempowersthemandremindsthemthattheyaresimplyonepersoninabigworld.
‘WheneverIcometoCheddarGorge,allmyworriesfromdailyworkandlifeareputintocontextandI’mremindedthatthere’smuchmoreoutthereintheworld,I’mjustonesmallperson.’ Adam, West Country
Sofarithasbeenshownthatplaceswithmeaningevokepowerfulemotionalreactions,indicatingthataplacecanoffermorethanjustaphysicalspace,buthasalong-lastingeffectthatimpactsusphysicallyandpsychologically.
Theseresultsindicatethatthefunctionsofspecialplacesareshowntosupportusinthreeareas;mental wellbeing, nostalgia and security & survival.
Positivementalwellbeing:perspective,rejuvenation,escape,headspace.
V.Qualitativeandquantitativefindings
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Thereisclearevidencethatvisitingmeaningfulplacespromotesgreatermentalwellbeing.
Naturalplacesespeciallypromotegreaterwellbeing(figure2a-page28)asdoplacesforthehereandnow(figure3-page30).
ThesefindingsechowhatOctavia Hill, the founder of the National Trust,intuitivelyknewwhenshesetouthermissiontoprovideplacesforallpeople:
‘We all need space; unless we have it we cannot reach that sense of quiet in which whispers of better things come to us gently… places to sit in, places to play in, places to stroll in, and places to spend a day in.’
OctaviaHill
V.Qualitativeandquantitativefindings
27Places that make us - Research report
Which of the following do you experience when visiting your meaningful place? -Splitbythetypesof meaningfulplace
Overall
Rural/Semi-Rural
Urban/Semi-Urban
53%57%*
49%Itismyescapefromeverydaylife
41%48%*
38%
Ihavetimetobemyself
34%40%*
32%
Itgivesmeperspective
39%41%*
33%
Iamrejuvenated
35%43%*
31%Itrefocusesmymind
33%47%*
27%
Itgivesmeheadspace
Q16.Benefitsofvisitingmeaningfulplaces-MentalWellbeing(%)
*Significantlydifferentscorebetweennaturalandbuilt-upplaces
(figure2a)
V.Qualitativeandquantitativefindings
28Places that make us - Research report
Whilsturbanplacesareclearlyimportantformentalwellbeing,thesebenefitsofmeaningfulplacesaregreaterforruralplaces(seefigure2a-page28).
Thisislikelydrivenbyhowtheplacemakesthemfeelwithsignificantlymorepeoplestatingthatruralplacesmakethemfeelcalm,relaxedandpeacefulcomparedtothosewithurbanmeaningfulplaces(figure2b) of which significantlymoresayurbanplacesmakethemfeelexcited.
89+1190+1090+1051+4988+12
78+2282+1879+2164+3687+13
89%*
90%*
90%*
51%
88%
78%
82%
79%
64%*
87%
Calm
Relaxed
Peaceful
Excited
Happy
Rural/Semi-Ruralmeaningfulplace
Urban/Semi-Urbanmeaningfulplace
%experience(score8/9/10outof10)feelingof[X]whenattheirmeaningfulplace.
Note.*indicatesasignificantlyhigherscore
(figure2b)
V.Qualitativeandquantitativefindings
29Places that make us - Research report
Which of the following do you experience when visiting your meaningful place? -Splitbytypeofconnection withtheplace
Overall
Hereandnow
Significantothers
Formative years
53%63%*
40%42%
Itismyescapefromeverydaylife
41%55%*
29%32%
Ihavetimetobemyself
39%50%*
26%32%
Iamrejuvenated
35%46%*
27%26%
Itrefocusesmymind
34%43%*
32%24%
Itgivesmeperspective
33%43%*
25%25%
Itgivesmeheadspace
Q16.Mentalwellbeingbenefitsofvisitingmeaningfulplaces(%)
*Significantlydifferentscorebetweenwaysconnectionisformed
(figure3)
V.Qualitativeandquantitativefindings
30Places that make us - Research report
Overhalfsaidthattheirmeaningfulplaceistheirescapefromeverydaylifeandthiswashighestamongstthosewitharuralmeaningfulplace(57%)andthosewithaconnectiontothehereandnow(63%).
Beingoutdoorsinthefreshair,andawayfromthestressesofdailylifeallowspeopletoescapefromtheeveryday,andjustenjoythesurroundingstheyarein. Formany,itisawelcomedbreakfromchores,workpressures,otherworriesandallowsforreflectionanddistraction.
‘Youwouldn’tgetthisfromlookingatme…butI’mabitofaloner.IenjoymyowncompanyandtobeinaplacewhereIcanjustgetawayandbewithmyself–yethappyandcontent–isthebest.’ Corinne, Lancashire
‘ThemomentIentertheparkthestressesfromeverydaylifejustleavemeandIhavespacetothink.Iforgetaboutthechoresandmyworkandjustenjoythespace.WhenIhaven’tvisitedallweekandI’mgrumpymywifejokesthatIneedtogototheparkandrelax’ Bello, London
Ickworth,Suffolk
V.Qualitativeandquantitativefindings
31Places that make us - Research report
Percentage agree with description of mental wellbeing experienced when visiting their meaningful place: -Splitbythetypeofplace
Overall
Rural/Semi-Rural
Urban/Semi-Urban
53%57%
49%Itismyescapefromeverydaylife
41%48%
38%
Ihavetimetobemyself
34%40%
32%
Itgivesmeperspective
39%41%
33%Iamrejuvenated
35%43%
31%
Itrefocusesmymind
33%47%
27%
Itgivesmeheadspace
Q16.Mentalwellbeingbenefitsofvisitingmeaningfulplaces(%)
*Significantlydifferentscorebetweentypeofmeaningfulplace
(figure4)
V.Qualitativeandquantitativefindings
32Places that make us - Research report
Nostalgiaandanopportunitytoreminisce
Meaningfulplacesserveasaphysicalrepresentationofimportantevents,preservingtheiressenceandactingasashortcuttounlockingthememories,emotionsandsensesassociatedwithpastexperiences.
Onekeymotivatorforvisitingameaningfulplaceistobetransportedto‘thegoodtimes’–atimelesscomplex.
Anopportunitytofondlyreflectonthepast.Thebestwaytoreminisceisthroughvisitingandrelivingthefamiliarsights,soundsandsmells.Thisisconsistentwithresearchwhichshowsthatnostalgiaisimportantforprovidingastablesenseofselfandallowingpeopletocomparetheirpresentandpastself,whichhasarestorativeimpactonaspectsofpsychologicalwellbeingsuchasself-esteem.12Assuchwecanhypothesisethatplaceswhichfacilitatenostalgiacanalsohelpachievethis.
Lookingatthetypesofconnectionthatpeoplehavewithplaces(figure5)weseethatfeelingsofnostalgiaaremuchstrongerforpeoplewhoseconnectionwithaplaceisformedfromitsconnectiontotheformativeyears,theirearlylifeandplacesthataremeaningfulforconnectionswithsignificantothers.
Aswemightexpect,nostalgiaisshowntobestrongeramongstolderpeople.60%of55+yearoldsagreethattheirplaceremindsthemofasignificanttimeintheirlife,comparedto54%of35-54yrolds,46%of18-34yroldswhichislikelytobearesultofageandamountofexperiences.Unsurprisingly,placesthatareimportantforthehereandnowevokeweakerfeelingsofnostalgia.
‘IhavebeencomingtoBlaiseCastlesinceIwasachildandit’sneverchangedinalltheyearsI’vebeenvisiting.Ilovethat,becauseitmeansit’sthesameinmymemoriesasitisinreallife,andIcanrecreatethememorieseasilywhenIvisit.It’smysafeplaceandI’dbeverysadifitweretochange’ Jan, West Country
BlaiseHamlet,Bristol
V.Qualitativeandquantitativefindings
33Places that make us - Research report
V.Qualitativeandquantitativefindings
Which of the following do you experience when visiting your meaningful place? -Splitbytypeofconnection withtheplace
Overall
Hereandnow
Significantothers
Formative years
59%40%*
65%69%
Aplacetoreminisce
55%38%*
67%61%
Itremindsmeofameaningfultimeinmylife
45%29%
60%*42%
Itconnectsmetopeoplethatareimportanttome
Q16.Nostalgia/Memoriesbenefitsofvisitingmeaningfulplaces(%)
*Significantlydifferentscorebetweenwaysconnectionisformed
(figure5)
Comfort:safetyandsurvival
Whenaskedabouthowtheirplacesmakethemfeel,60%agreethattheyfeel‘inasafeplace’whenvisiting,while42%saytheirplacemakesthemfeelreassured,soothed,familiar,comfortedandcosy.Theyspokeofbothphysicalandmentalsafety.
Mentalsafetyprovidesasenseofemotionalsecurity,refugeandcomfort.Thisstemsfromthefondnessandfamiliarityofthemeaningfulplace.
Physicalsafetyisanimportantelementofmanyoftheseplaces,particularlyforparentsorgrandparentswhowanttoallowtheir(grand)childrentorunfree,without worry.
‘IknowClandonParkHousesowell,andIfeellikeitknowsmetoo.WheneverIgobackthereIfeelprotected,it’slookingoutformeandwe’vegotamutualrespectforeachother’ Elliott, London
Researchhasshownthatclosenesstosafeplacesalsoallowsforanindividualtofeelmoreconfidentinexploringpotentiallyunknownplaces,aidingdiscovery.13
34Places that make us - Research report
v. Passing on and sharing places
Wehaveseenthatplacesevokepowerfulemotionalreactionsandthesehaveimportantpsychologicalbenefitstoindividualswhoholdtheseattachmentstospecialplaces,buttheseplacesalsoencouragebehaviouralresponsesthathavethepotentialtobenefitothersaswell.
For example, the strength of the connection with places, for many, manifests through a strong desire and need to share and pass on the experiences for future generations.
Thereisastrongdesireforpeopletopassonthepleasureandvalueoftheirplacetofuturegenerations,inthehopethattheywillhavethesameconnectionasthem.75% agree that they would like to pass on their love of their place to significant others.
Thereisalsoa desire to share the connection they have with the place with others (79%).Theplacehashadsuchanimpactontheirlivesthattheywantotherstoexperienceittooasitis somewhere they are proud of.
Cotehele,Cornwall
V.Qualitativeandquantitativefindings
35Places that make us - Research report
vi. Protecting meaningful places
Theurgetoprotectsomethingheld dearisahumaninstinct.Protectingmeaningfulplacesisatangibleway forpeopletoensurethatitisavailabletofuturegenerations. 61% say that they do try to protect the place that is most important to them.
Waysinwhichpeopledothisincludeanythingfrom theirownactions(pickinguplitter),throughtosupportingorganisedconservation(donatingmoneytothecausewholooksaftertheplace).Noteveryonedemonstratesanactiveinvolvementinconservingtheirspecialplaces,however,themajoritywouldbeupsetifitnolongerexisted.
92% agree that they would be upset if their meaningful place was lost. Thisisstrongeramongstthosewhosemeaningfulplaceisrural(95%)comparedtourban(91%)places.
Itwasshownthatthosewhomentionfeelingasense ofbelongingwhentheyvisittheirplaceofsignificancewerealsomorelikelytoagree(strongly/slightly)thatthey‘trytoprotecttheirmostmeaningfulplace’ (seefigure6-page36).Ifplacesweren’tsodeeplyrootedintheirsenseofpersonalidentityand belongingtheywouldn’tfeelthissameneed.
Percentage agree that the statement describes what their meaningful place means to them:
70+3062+38
70%* Belonging
62% Energised
63+3751+4957+4359+41
63% Calm
51% Nostalgia
57% Safety
59% Joy
Q18.%Agreementwiththestatement‘Itrytoprotectmymostmeaningfulplace’Splitbythosementioningthattheirmeaningfulplacemakesthemfeel[X]atQ11/12.
*Significantlydifferentscorebetweentheemotionmeaningfulplacemakesthemfeel.
(figure5)
V.Qualitativeandquantitativefindings
36Places that make us - Research report
IX.Conclusions
This research set out to gain an in-depth understanding of the deep connection people have with places. We have demonstrated that there is a strong physical and emotional connection between places and people – and that these places have a positive effect on our wellbeing.
Whileitisclearthatpeoplesaythattheyfeelastrongemotionalconnectionwithplaces,thefindingsofourfMRIresearchshowthatmeaningfulplacesgenerateasignificantemotionalresponseincoreemotionprocessingareasofthebrain.
The main conclusions of this research can be summarised as follows:
1. Whataretheneuralunderpinningsofourconnectionwithplace?
The fMRI research has shown clear evidence that key areas of emotional processing are highly responsive to meaningful places.
‘Itisclearthatthebraintreatsplacesthataremeaningfulverydifferentlytocommon/everydayplaces.Placesofsignificanceplacesgenerateastrongemotionalresponse’ Prof. Opitz, University of Surrey
Ouranalysissuggeststhatthewayinwhichthesebrainareasrespondtomeaningfulplacesgoesbeyondmerepersonalrelevance,supportingthenotionfoundelsewherethatplacesarespecialtous.
Furthermore,ourresultsdemonstrateasignificantlyhigherresponsetomeaningfulcomparedtocommonplaces.Toourknowledgethisisthefirsttimethatsuchfindingshavebeendemonstratedwithplaces.
38Places that make us - Research report
IX.Conclusions
2. Whatplacesdopeoplefeelaconnectionwith?
Thebreadthofmeaningfulplacesrangefromruralspotssuchasahillwithastunningview,tourbanplaces,forexampleapromenadeofaseasidetown.Theycanbespecificlocationsaswellasbroadregionsandevencountries.Therangeofplaceswehaveseeninthisresearchreflectsthedeeppersonalconnectionpeoplefeelwithalltypesofplaces.
3. Whydoconnectionsform?
Threestrongreasonsemergedfromtheresearch.Firstly,‘connectionsfromtheformativeyears’(citedmostfrequently),secondly,‘throughrelationtosignificantothers’,andthirdly,‘fromthehereandnow’.Thisshowsthatthepast,presentandfutureallplayapartinthedeep-rootedconnectionthatpeopleexperience,andtheseallstructurewhoweareaspeople,shapingusandouridentities.
Giant’sCauseway,CountyAntrim
39Places that make us - Research report
IX.Conclusions
4. Whatfeelingsareevoked?
Formany,thestrongestfeelingswereofcalm,joyandcontentment,energyandasenseofbelonging.Thisindicatesthattheconceptoftopophiliaisverymuchalive,movingpeopleinmanydifferentforms.Thisfeelingishardtoarticulateformost,asitismoreofapositiveenergy.
5. Benefitsofvisiting
Whilevisitingmeaningfulplacesbringsawholehostofbenefits,thesecanbebroadlygroupedintothreekeyareas–mentalwellbeing,nostalgiaandsecurity&survival.Naturalplacesinparticularpromotegreaterwellbeing,aswellasplacesfromthehereandnow.Thecontinuedpresenceofthesemeaningfulplacesallowspeopletoreapthebenefitsthroughouttheirlives.
PowisCastle&Garden,Wales
40Places that make us - Research report
IX.Conclusions
WhyisTheNationalTrust’sworksoimportant?
Theneedfor“placestositin,placestoplayin,placestostrollin,andplacestospendadayin”isstillasrelevanttodayasitwaswhenOctaviaHillfirstwrotethesewordsafewyearsbeforeshefoundedtheNationalTrustin1895.
HermissiontoprovideplacesforallpeopleissomethingthatstillguidestheworkoftheNationalTrusttoday;withdedicatedteamsofvolunteers,staff,partnersandmemberscollectivelyworkingtolookafterplacesacrosstheUKforfuturegenerations.
Thefindingsofthisresearchshowthatplacesaremorethanaspacetovisitandenjoyfortheiraestheticbeauty;infact,theyhavelong-lastingeffectsthathaveanimpactonusphysicallyandpsychologically,andevenencouragebehaviouralresponsesthathavethepotentialtobenefitothers.
Formany,thestrengthoftheconnectionwithplacesmanifeststhroughastrongdesire,andneed,toprotecttheseplacesforfuturegenerationstoenjoy.
ThispioneeringresearchdemonstrateswhytheworkundertakenbythepeopleattheNationalTrustisimportant;foreveryonetocontinuetoenjoyandfeelasenseofdiscovery,peaceandbelonging.
Itisnowevenmoreclearthatplacesaremademeaningfulbythepeoplewhovisitthemandthesepersonalconnectionshelpmakeuswhoweare.
FentonHouse&Garden,London
41Places that make us - Research report
XI.Appendix
AbouttheNationalTrust
TheNationalTrustisaconservationcharityfoundedin1895bythreepeoplewhosawtheimportanceofournation’sheritageandopenspaces,andwantedtopreservethemforeveryonetoenjoy.Morethan120yearslater,thesevaluesarestillattheheartofeverythingthecharitydoes.
EntirelyindependentofGovernment,theNationalTrustlooksaftermorethanover600,000acresofcountryside,775milesofcoastlineandhundredsofspecialplacesacrossEngland,WalesandNorthernIreland.
Over22millionpeoplevisiteveryyear,andtogetherwith5millionmembersandover62,000volunteers,theyhelptosupportthecharityinitsworktocareforspecialplacesforever,foreveryone.Formoreinformationandideasforgreatseasonaldaysoutgoto:www.nationaltrust.org.uk
AbouttheUniversityofSurrey
TheUniversityofSurrey’sdepartmentofPsychologyhasanestablishedneuroscienceresearchdepartmentandisamemberoftheCombinedUniversitiesBrainImagingCentre(CUBIC).ProfessorBertramOpitz,wholedonthisstudy,iswell-knownandrespectedinhisfieldofNeuroimaging&CognitiveNeuroscience.
AboutWalnutUnlimited
WalnutUnlimitedisapioneerofapplyingconsumerneurosciencetomarketresearch.TheWalnutteamareexperiencedatdesigningandanalysingstudiesusingthemostrelevantapproachesfrompsychologyandneuroscience.Fromapplyingpsychologicaltechniquestounderstandhowpeoplethink,feelandbehave,tobiometricandbrainimagingmeasurementincludingencephalography(EEG)andfunctionalmagneticresonanceimagining(fMRI),theteamthentranslatetheseintobreakthroughinsightsintohowpeoplebehaveandfeel.
Abouttheresearch:samplesizes
Forcontext,theresearchprocesswasinitiatedwiththequalitativestagefirst,whichwasthenfollowedbythequantitativestage.TheresultsfromboththequalitativeandquantitativephasesthenhelpedtoinformthemethodandformatofthefinalfMRIstage.
Qualitative – 11 participants Theaimofthequalitativephasewastogatheraninitialstrongin-depthunderstandingofpeople’semotionsandconnectiontoplacebeforemovingaheadwiththequantitativeandfMRIphases.
Quantitative – 2,000 participants Thisphaseoftheresearchwasextendtoasizeablenumberofparticipantstoensurethedeliveryofstatisticalsignificance.
fMRI – 20 participants ThebasesizeforthefMRIwascertainlysufficienttoallowustoexploretheresearchobjective.Theresultsweresubjecttosignificancetestingusingstatisticalmethodsthatensuretheresultsgatheredarenotduetochancebutagenuineeffect.Ifthesamplesizehadbeentoosmallthentheresultsobservedwouldhavesimplybeen‘noise’andnotprovensignificant.
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XI.Appendix
References
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