Embedded Files
TESD is a curated collection of environmental stimuli captured from tropical urban, natural, and mixed urban-nature environments in Malaysia. Developed as part of a research initiative, this repository aims to enhance ecological validity and geographical representation in environmental psychology studies, which have mostly relied on 2D images from temperate regions.
Mission of the project
Mission of the project
TESD comprises a diverse and standardized set of high-definition videos, static images, and high-quality audio recordings representing a continuum of naturalness—from predominantly natural to heavily urbanised settings.
The database serves as a resource for exploring how different environmental contexts influence
cognitive, emotional, and physiological outcomes.
All materials have been used in empirical research on the psychological effects of environmental exposure and
are shared here for academic, educational, and non-commercial purposes under a
Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 International License.
Where Were the Stimuli Collected?
Where Were the Stimuli Collected?
Environmental stimuli were gathered from diverse locations in Johor, Malaysia, particularly across Iskandar Puteri and Johor Bahru, including:
Sireh Park
Hutan Bandar Mutiara Rini
Hutan Bandar Johor Bahru
Tanjung Piai
Puteri Harbour
Bukit Indah
Eco Botanic
These sites were chosen to capture a balanced mix of natural and urban settings, from lush green parks and coastal areas to densely built-up cityscapes.
How Were the Stimuli Standardized?
How Were the Stimuli Standardized?
Stimuli were recorded using a Canon EOS 1500D DSLR with a macro lens and fixed settings (shutter speed = 1/50, aperture = F16, ISO = 100).
Recording length: ~20 seconds, trimmed to stable, distraction-free
5-second clips.
Categories (a priori classification):
Nature (n = 50): Predominantly vegetation, sky, or water, minimal human-made structures
Urban (n = 50): Dominated by built features
Mixed urban–nature (n = 20): Blend of natural and built elements
Formats produced:
Audio–visual (bimodal)
Visual-only (muted)
Audio-only (ambient sound extracted)
This process yielded 360 standardized stimuli, each reviewed for clarity, stability, lighting, and minimal artifacts.
Perceived Restorativeness Ratings
Perceived Restorativeness Ratings
Each stimulus was rated by local participants (n = 89) using:
Perceived Restorativeness Scale—Short Form (PR-SF; Berto, 2005)
for visual and video stimuliPerceived Restorative Soundscape Scale—Short Form (PRS-SF)
for audio stimuli (adapted from Payne, 2013)
Both scales assess:
Fascination
Being-away
Coherence
Scope
Compatibility
Ratings were collected on an 11-point Likert scale (0 = not at all, 10 = completely). These scores were used to identify and rank stimuli, including the 20 most restorative nature videos and the 20 least restorative urban videos.
Who Can Use TESD?
Who Can Use TESD?
TESD is intended for use by researchers, educators, and students in disciplines such as environmental psychology, urban design, public health, and landscape architecture. It is particularly suited for Southeast Asian contexts and applicable to both experimental and applied research.
Please note that not all 360 stimuli were uploaded here, you may contact Juliana Hoo (juliana.hoo@pgr.reading.ac.uk) for further details.
Ongoing Development
Ongoing Development
Planned updates include:
Expanded metadata for each stimulus (e.g., location, time of day, environmental features)
Additional stimuli and mixed-modality options
Continued access under Creative Commons licensing for academic and non-commercial use
Contact
Contact
For access requests, collaboration opportunities, or inquiries about using TESD in your research,
please contact:
juliana.hoo@pgr.reading.ac.uk
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