Environment and Social Psychology

Synergistic Effects of Natural Soundscape and Artificial Music: The Dual Moderation of Music Playback in Forest Environments on Tourists' Environmental Empathy and Pro-Environmental Behavior

Qidi Sun

Sejong University, Department of Applied Music,Seoul, Korea

Hyuntae Kim

Sejong University, Department of Applied Music,Seoul, Korea

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v11i2.4532

Keywords: Natural soundscape; music playback; environmental empathy; pro-environmental behaviour; forest tourism environments; soundscape perception

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Abstract

Urban forest environments are increasingly integrating controlled music playback; however, the interaction between natural soundscapes (NS) and their influence on tourists' psychological and behavioral responses, remains unclear, particularly regarding emotional resonance, nature alignment, and environmentally responsible actions. The research aim is to examine how the combined presence of NSs and artificial music (AM) produces synergistic effects, and how music playback moderates’ tourists' environmental empathy (EE) and pro-environmental behavior. Data were obtained through an on-site experimental questionnaire approach conducted with 250 tourists in forest recreation settings, involving tourists exposed to different acoustic conditions. Measurements focused on Acoustic Environment Types (AET), Music Playback Moderation (MPM), EE, emotional restoration (ER), soundscape congruence (SC), and pro-environmental behavioral intention (PEBI) captured using standardized rating scales. The analysis framework relied on descriptive statistics, reliability testing, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), correlation analysis implemented using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The procedure involved comparing responses under three playback conditions: NS alone, AM alone, and integrated soundscape–music (ISM) exposure. Participants evaluated their emotional connection to the environment and willingness to engage in environmentally responsible actions following each condition. Results indicated that significant improvements were confirmed, which revealed a high mean score (3.65–4.07), moderate variability (SD = 0.61–0.76), Cronbach’s Alpha (0.887), and correlations (0.46–1). PEBI showed moderate to strong positive effects under harmonized music playback; mismatched music reduced perceived environmental authenticity. Overall, regulated music improves NSs, encouraging empathy-driven pro-environmental behavior and directing sustainable, delightful forest tourist experiences.

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