Individual differences in the psychological effects of forest sounds based on type A and type B behavior patterns.

Studies on the psychological effects of nature have been increasing, but few studies have focused on individual differences in these effects. The purpose of this study was to examine the individual differences in the psychological effects of forest sounds based on Type A and Type B behavior patterns. The Kwansei Gakuin (KG) daily life questionnaire was used as an indicator for Type A and Type B behavior patterns. This study included 29 female university students (mean age, 22.3 ± 2.1 years) who were exposed to high-resolution forest and city sounds for 60 s, and they provided subjective evaluations on a modified Semantic Differential method and the Profile of Mood States questionnaire. After exposure to the forest sounds, the Type A group (n = 12) reported higher levels of feeling comfortable, relaxed, and natural, as well as lower levels of anger–hostility, than the Type B group (n = 17). The findings demonstrated that the Type A and Type B groups experienced different psychological effects from forest-derived auditory stimulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]