Scientific research carried out by the National Trust has found that natural and historic places have a powerful effect on all of us. In the ‘Places that Make us report’ the National Trust set out to understand the depth of people’s connection with place.
This is the first piece of research of its kind and has revealed that meaningful places generate a significant response in areas of the brain most commonly associated with positive emotions; demonstrating the strong emotional connection between people and places.
The research revealed for the first time that key areas of emotional processing in the brain are activated by a place deemed to be special by an individual, supporting the feelings of a deep visceral connection.
It also identified areas in the brain that responded to a place with personal meaning, and demonstrated that the brain generates an automatic positive emotional response to such places. This response to special places was found to be much higher in the amygdala (a key area in the brain known to process emotion) than our response to meaningful objects, such as a wedding ring or photograph.
Therefore, it can be concluded that significant places more likely contain greater emotional importance than objects, as areas in our brain involved in emotional processing respond more strongly to significant places/ Places with meaning evoke powerful emotional reactions, indicating that places can be more than just physical spaces. These emotional reactions have an impact on us physically and psychologically.
Behavioural evidence
The research also found that places also encourage behavioural responses that have the potential to benefit others as well.
A real sense of belonging and self-identity is evoked by places that are meaningful. 8 out of 10 describe their place as being part of them (86%) and 58% agree that they ‘feel like I belong’ when visiting this place.
This feeling can be shared with others as 75% agree that they would like to pass on their love of their place to significant others and there is also a desire to share the connection they have with the place with others (79%).
The results indicate that places support us in four areas; mental wellbeing, nostalgia, security and survival.
For many, this manifests through a strong desire, and need, to protect these places for future generations with 61% saying that they do try to protect the place that is most important to them. 92% agree that they would be upset if the place was lost. This is strongest amongst those whose meaningful place is rural (95%) compared to urban (91%) places.
A National Trust blog also looks at the report and what it means for society.