Physiological and Psychological Responses on Subjects in Plant Shades as Visual Comfortableness

Abstract

We studied the visual psychological side of comfortableness in plant shades. The effect which the difference in the materials of a canopy affects to the subjects was measured. The plant (Vinca Major L.) and the artificial material (white PVC board) were used for the canopy. Both materials ware adjusted to become probably same thermal environment (the reduce ratio of insolation =: 50%). The responses of the subjects under the plant shade had the following characteristics as compared with the artificial shade. (1) According to sensory evaluation by SD method, plant shade was evaluated pleasant, beautiful, dark, valuable and hot. (2) Vigor feeling was high and fatigue feeling was low. (3) From analysis of EEG, there were the differences in alpha-wave in F3 and Pz. Therefore, it was shown that a difference is in brain activity. (4) Systoric blood pressure was 2 - 10 mmHg low. As described above, the visual psychological effect of the plant shade increases comfortableness, and it is thought that the stress state of mind and body to be relieved.