A Structure of Recognition for Natural and Artificial Scenes: Effect of Horticultural Therapy Focusing on Figure-Ground Organization

Abstract

In modern societies, prevention of elderly depression becomes an inevitable social demand. As a solution, the horticultural therapy has attracted attention over the years. In this study, we focused an importance of the therapy in perception-action cycle, to enhance motivation to work on the therapy, especially when subjects interact with natural objects. As an initial step, we investigated a visual perception process of the therapy by using spontaneous eye movements, as an index of the subconscious curiosity and interest. Our experimental results demonstrated a significant difference of eye movements in natural and artificial object cases. In natural cases, the detail analyses suggest a high motivation when interacting with complex natural materials, and the further analysis leads a way to investigate the fundamental effect of the therapy.