Cerwén, Gunnar
- Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
Growing evidence demonstrates the importance of environmental quality for human health and wellbeing. Environmental psychology can inform planning and design of future environments, but previous research often used simulated settings, limiting ecological validity. To bridge this gap and enable studies in real environments, a new laboratory (SENSOLA) has been built at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The laboratory is designed to facilitate studies on human-environment interactions in real environments, with a particular focus on psychophysiology using wearable sensors. An important prerequisite of the endeavor is the ability to synchronize environmental data with biomarkers and participants' self-reports over time. In this methodological paper, we describe the creation and implementation of the SENSOLA laboratory. Drawing on experiences gained from the first ten studies conducted within the laboratory, we summarize key considerations for conducting research in field settings. We discuss various methodological approaches and procedural considerations, highlighting challenges and possibilities, to serve as a peer-reviewed guideline for future studies in the lab and elsewhere.
Keywords
psychophysiology in situ; wearable technology; environmental psychology; landscape architecture; skin conductance; heart rate variability; eye tracking; fNIRS
Published in
Frontiers in Psychology
2025, volume: 16, article number: 1432180
SLU Authors
Hägerhäll, Caroline
- Department of People and Society, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- Department of People and Society, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
UKÄ Subject classification
Psychology (excluding Applied Psychology)
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1432180
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/142601