Ricerc@Sapienza

Attention is essential to development and is important for executive functioning. Unfortunately, a growing number of school children suffer of chronic attention deficit such as the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It is important to consider that many of these very young patients are pharmacologically treated and need to deal with side effects that may occur.

Attention is essential to development and is important for executive functioning. Unfortunately, a growing number of school children suffer of chronic attention deficit such as the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It is important to consider that many of these very young patients are pharmacologically treated and need to deal with side effects that may occur.

The attention mechanism is related to both voluntary and automatic processes, that may be summarized in three distinct networks: alert, orientation, and inhibitory control. These networks can be modulated by different contextual and relational situations. Aim of this review is to explain how a combination of natural and social stimuli can positively affect the attentional processes. It has been proposed that the exposition to natural environment can positively affect direct attention, a common resource supporting both executive functioning and self-regulation processes in cognition.

Attention is essential to development and healthy life. Unfortunately, a growing number of school children suffer of chronic attention deficit such as the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Most literature is focused on the role that social environment plays in child development whereas scarce attention is paid on the physical environment, both built and natural.
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