Postural control modulation in response to pollution perception

In today’s society, the brain’s role in assessing environmental disturbances like pollution is crucial. Research in socioaffective neuroscience has examined postural modulation during the processing of socioaffective information, such as empathy for pain. This approach was applied to pollution perception. Thirty-seven participants (mean age 24.08 ± 5.9 years) were recruited. Postural data were recorded using an AMTI force platform and a Biopac system. Participants were exposed to two types of environments: polluted and neutral scenes. Viewing conditions included passive (no instruction) and active observation (imagining themselves interacting with the environments). The results showed larger standard deviations of Center Of Pressure (COP) displacements and increased path lengths during active observation of polluted stimuli compared to neutral environments. These effects were less pronounced in the passive condition. The findings are discussed about theories of embodiment, empathy for nature, and emotion’s role in nature appraisal.