TY - JOUR
T1 - Unearthing the picturesque
T2 - The validity of the preference matrix as a measure of landscape aesthetics
AU - van der Jagt, Alexander P. N.
AU - Craig, Tony
AU - Anable, Jillian
AU - Brewer, Mark J.
AU - Pearson, David G.
N1 - Funding Information:
We thank James Urquhart for technical support. This research is part of a PhD studentship by A.P.N. van der Jagt which is funded by ACES (Aberdeen Centre for Environmental Sustainability) in partnership with the University of Aberdeen and The James Hutton Institute . T. Craig and M.J. Brewer were funded by the Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division of the Scottish Government .
PY - 2014/4
Y1 - 2014/4
N2 - Previous research has provided inconclusive support for the preference matrix; a psychological framework of landscape aesthetics rooted in a long tradition of studying scenic quality. Given recent insights into the important implications that aesthetics have for health and well-being, the aim of the present study was to re-assess the validity of the preference matrix following the implementation of a series of methodological improvements. These entailed: a set of item definitions piloted for high comprehension; adequate statistical control for confounding influences by scene content and user experience; a substantially sized, highly varied image database; and the employment of statistical instruments to formally test for nonlinear relationships. An ordinal mixed effects model provides convergent evidence for our hypothesis that each of predictors in the preference matrix is independently predictive of scene aesthetics. In addition, we find support for an interaction between the constructs of Coherence and Complexity and show that levels of both natural and built character, as well as familiarity, are uniquely predictive of scene attractiveness. The present findings underline the role of the preference matrix as a potential tool in informing evidence-based design.
AB - Previous research has provided inconclusive support for the preference matrix; a psychological framework of landscape aesthetics rooted in a long tradition of studying scenic quality. Given recent insights into the important implications that aesthetics have for health and well-being, the aim of the present study was to re-assess the validity of the preference matrix following the implementation of a series of methodological improvements. These entailed: a set of item definitions piloted for high comprehension; adequate statistical control for confounding influences by scene content and user experience; a substantially sized, highly varied image database; and the employment of statistical instruments to formally test for nonlinear relationships. An ordinal mixed effects model provides convergent evidence for our hypothesis that each of predictors in the preference matrix is independently predictive of scene aesthetics. In addition, we find support for an interaction between the constructs of Coherence and Complexity and show that levels of both natural and built character, as well as familiarity, are uniquely predictive of scene attractiveness. The present findings underline the role of the preference matrix as a potential tool in informing evidence-based design.
KW - Built environment
KW - Familiarity
KW - Landscape aesthetics
KW - Natural environment
KW - Preference matrix
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84894430319&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2013.12.006
DO - 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2013.12.006
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84894430319
SN - 0169-2046
VL - 124
SP - 1
EP - 13
JO - Landscape and Urban Planning
JF - Landscape and Urban Planning
ER -