Cultural Fit in Campus Spaces: Acculturation Orientations Shape the Perceived Restorativeness of Minority and Majority Environments

Abstract

In three field experiments (total N = 618), international students who varied in their acculturation orientations completed tasks in a majority or minority space on campus. Integrating theories from environmental and social psychology, we expected that fit between the individual's acculturation orientation and the social profile of the campus spaces would increase perceived and experienced psychological restoration. Consistent with this prediction, integrative mixed model analysis of the combined data across studies revealed that participants perceived the minority space as more restorative than the majority space, but only among those oriented towards their home culture (i.e., evidencing stronger fit). Effects on objective performance and mood were more mixed and less consistent with predictions. Overall, the results point to the importance of individual, social, and physical factors in shaping environmental experiences and perceptions.