Disconnected from complexity: on nature exposure, sociality, and the self-organizing self

Abstract

Connectedness to nature and connectedness in interpersonal relationships have both been shown to support human cognitive functioning as well as feelings of self-efficacy, well-being, and personal meaning. As modern urban lifestyles and digital-first sociality isolate us from natural environments and face-to-face connections, there is an associated reduction in these psychological markers of flourishing. One underexplored mechanism for this association is the way that built environments and digital social lives isolate us from appropriately challenging and perspective-shifting chance events and disorder which may be beneficial to our cognitive processes. This paper uses the lens of complexity science and self-organization to examine natural and social disconnection as disconnection from cognitively constructive complexity. It compares findings from multiple disciplines to propose that while built environments and digital isolation protect us from physical and social risks associated with chaotic systems, they also remove us from exposure to beneficial cognitive turbulences which may support positive perceptual shifts, psychological well-being, and meaningful self-expansion. Implications of this conceptualization for future research are also proposed.