Places Change Minds: Exploring the Psychology of Urbanicity Using a Brief Contemplation Method

Corcoran, Rhiannon ORCID: 0000-0001-8900-9199, Mansfield, Rosie, Giokas, Trina, Hawkins, Amy, Bamford, Lauren and Marshall, Graham (2017) Places Change Minds: Exploring the Psychology of Urbanicity Using a Brief Contemplation Method SAGE OPEN, 7 (2). 2158244017707004-. ISSN 2158-2440, 2158-2440

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Abstract

An accruing body of research suggests that urban environments negatively affect mental health and well-being. It is thought that some of this so-called “urbanicity effect” can be explained by the perceived quality of the living environment. The two studies reported here used online survey methods to explore changes to self-reported psychological mechanisms thought to underpin mental health and well-being before and after participants briefly contemplated urban/rural or desirable/undesirable residential images. Our findings demonstrate that even brief contemplation of places change how we consider our futures and that places deemed relatively undesirable appear to promote a threat-focused anticipatory set. Importantly, these changes were not found to be associated with perceived urbanity but rather with perceived desirability of place. These findings should be considered alongside increasing evidence that urban regeneration and place-making are matters of public health concern.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	urban/rural, desirable neighborhoods, psychological mechanisms, mental health and well-being
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	14 Jul 2017 09:26
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2026 15:57
DOI:	10.1177/2158244017707004
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3008461
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