1. Vegetation and Violence

2. A study conducted by Frances E. Kuo Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

3. With funding from The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture The USDA Forest Service The USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program on the recommendation of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

4. Take home message

5. Where there is less nature nearby, there is more aggression and violence. Take home message

6. Why Study Vegetation and Violence? Why Study Vegetation and Violence? The Approach The Approach The Findings The Findings So What? So What? Presentation outline

7. Why Study Vegetation and Violence?

8. In the inner city, violence levels are high, and vegetation is scarce.

9. Could there be a connection between scarce vegetation and high rates of violence?

10. Near- home nature Less mental fatigue Green surroundings may reduce mental fatigue…

11. And less mental fatigue may be linked to less aggression. Less aggression and violence Less mental fatigue

12. Mental fatigue may lead to aggression by impairing the ability to handle problems rationallyimpairing the ability to handle problems rationally

13. Mental fatigue may lead to aggression by impairing the ability to handle problems rationallyimpairing the ability to handle problems rationally causing inattentivenesscausing inattentiveness

14. Mental fatigue may lead to aggression by impairing the ability to handle problems rationallyimpairing the ability to handle problems rationally causing inattentivenesscausing inattentiveness increasing irritabilityincreasing irritability

15. Mental fatigue may lead to aggression by impairing the ability to handle problems rationallyimpairing the ability to handle problems rationally causing inattentivenesscausing inattentiveness increasing irritabilityincreasing irritability decreasing control over impulsive behaviordecreasing control over impulsive behavior

16. The demands of poverty may place inner city residents at high risk for mental fatigue and the aggression it fosters.

17. Adding nature to the inner city may reduce these risks. Near- home nature Less aggression and violence

18. 1 2 3 This study examines the following relationships: Near- home nature Less aggression and violence Less mental fatigue

19. The Approach

20. The Robert Taylor Homes were chosen as a research site because buildings are similar; only the quantity of nearby vegetation differsbuildings are similar; only the quantity of nearby vegetation differs

21. The Robert Taylor Homes were chosen as a research site because buildings are similar; only the quantity of nearby vegetation differsbuildings are similar; only the quantity of nearby vegetation differs residents are randomly assigned to buildingsresidents are randomly assigned to buildings

22. The Robert Taylor Homes were chosen as a research site because buildings are similar; only the quantity of nearby vegetation differsbuildings are similar; only the quantity of nearby vegetation differs residents are randomly assigned to buildingsresidents are randomly assigned to buildings residents have similar characteristicsresidents have similar characteristics

23. The participants were 145 female, heads of household, under 65 years old145 female, heads of household, under 65 years old

24. The participants were 145 female, heads of household, under 65 years old145 female, heads of household, under 65 years old from 18 buildings that varied along the full range of amount of nearby naturefrom 18 buildings that varied along the full range of amount of nearby nature

25. The participants were 145 female, heads of household, under 65 years old145 female, heads of household, under 65 years old from 18 buildings that varied along the full range of amount of nearby naturefrom 18 buildings that varied along the full range of amount of nearby nature recruited by interviewers going door-to-doorrecruited by interviewers going door-to-door

26. Method The 18 buildings were categorized as being either high or low in nearby nature.The 18 buildings were categorized as being either high or low in nearby nature.

27. Robert Taylor Homes without trees (barren) Robert Taylor Homes with trees (green)

28. The 18 buildings were categorized as being either high or low in nearby nature.The 18 buildings were categorized as being either high or low in nearby nature. Residents mental fatigue was measured.Residents mental fatigue was measured. Method

29. The 18 buildings were categorized as being either high or low in nearby nature.The 18 buildings were categorized as being either high or low in nearby nature. Residents mental fatigue was measured.Residents mental fatigue was measured. Residents levels of aggressive and violent behavior were measured.Residents levels of aggressive and violent behavior were measured. Method

30. Near- home nature Less aggression and violence Less mental fatigue

31. The relationships between all three measures were then analyzed. Amount of vegetation outside home Scores on test of attention Aggressive tactics used against partner

32. The Findings

33. This study found a clear link between green surroundings and reduced mental fatigue. Near- home nature Less mental fatigue

34. More nature near home, less mental fatigue Mean number correct on attention measure Greenness rating of residence 5 4 greenbarren 4.5 More correct = less fatigued attention

35. And residents with less mental fatigue reported less aggression and violence. Less aggression and violence Less mental fatigue

36. Finally, there was a clear link between having near-home vegetation and less aggression and violence. Less aggression and violence Near- home nature

37. Nearby nature leads to less violence and aggression More aggression Less aggression

38. Nearby nature leads to a smaller range of violence and aggression More types of aggression Fewer types of aggression

39. In sum,

40. In sum, individuals living in green surroundings were less mentally fatigued,

41. In sum, individuals living in green surroundings were less mentally fatigued, and less aggressive and violent.

42. So What?

43. Because violence begets violence, reducing violence now is likely to reduce violence in future generations.

44. Suggestions for individuals If angry, take a walk in green surroundings.

45. Spend time in natural settings to revive your ability to focus on tasks that demand concentration. Suggestions for individuals

46. Encourage children to use nature for relaxing and cooling off. Suggestions for individuals

47. Encourage city planners to plant trees in the inner city. Suggestions for individuals

48. Support city policies for maintaining trees. Suggestions for individuals

49. When possible, plant and care for trees near your home. Suggestions for individuals

50. City planners and arborists should note: the location of vegetation matters.

51. Caring for trees means caring for people!

52. To share this information with others Copies of this presentation and other, written materials for nonscientific audiences may be obtained at Copies of this presentation and other, written materials for nonscientific audiences may be obtained at To quote this information in print, please consult the original scientific journal article: To quote this information in print, please consult the original scientific journal article: Kuo, F.E. & Sullivan, W.C. (2001). Aggression and violence in the inner city: Impacts of environment via mental fatigue. Environment & Behavior, 33(4), 543-571. Available at www.lhhl.uiuc.edu

53. On details of the original study Kuo, F.E. & Sullivan, W.C. (2001). Aggression and violence in the inner city: Impacts of environment via mental fatigue. Environment & Behavior, 33, 543-571. On nature and mental fatigue On nature and mental fatigue Kaplan, R. (1984). Wilderness perception and psychological benefits: An analysis of a continuing program. Leisure Science, 6, 271-290. Kaplan, S. (1995). The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15, 169-182. To learn more:

54. On mental fatigue and aggression Caprara, G.V., Renzi, (1981). The frustration-aggression hypothesis vs. irritability. Recherches di Psychologie Sociale, 3, 75-80. Kaplan, S. (1987). Mental fatigue and the designed environment. In J. Harvey & D. Henning (Eds.), Public environments. Edmond, OK: Environmental Design Research Association, pp. 55-60. Stanford, M.S., Greve, K.W., Dickens, T.J. (1995). Irritability and impulsiveness: Relationship to self-reported impulsive aggression. Personality and Individual Differences, 19, 757-760. To learn more:

55. Other questions? Contact Frances E. Kuo, Ph.D. (fekuo@uiuc.edu) The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Landscape and Human Health Laboratory 1103 S. Dorner Drive, MC-636 Urbana IL 61801