>[!abstract] >Prospect-refuge theory, proposed by geographer Jay Appleton, explains aesthetic and psychological preferences for certain environments based on evolutionary survival needs. It suggests humans are drawn to spaces that offer prospect (clear views for observing opportunities or threats) combined with refuge (places of concealment or protection). Landscapes or architectural designs that balance openness and shelter—such as a window seat overlooking a garden or a clearing surrounded by trees—tend to evoke feelings of comfort, safety, and appeal. The theory has influenced environmental psychology, urban planning, and design by linking spatial perception to deep-seated adaptive instincts. >[!related] >- **North** (upstream): Environmental psychology >- **West** (similar): Biophilia hypothesis >- **East** (different): — >- **South** (downstream): —