Examination of viewer perceptions and preferences when exposed to naturally occurring aesthetic scenes

Vita.The primary objective of this dissertation is to empirically assess viewers' perceptions of selected scenic components and explore the relationship of these perceptions to visual preference. The scenic components selected for study are derived from a body of published research wherein each component considered individually has been found to influence visual preference. The secondary objective is to determine if various classifications of viewers are significantly different from each other when assessing the magnitude of what they see, or when expressing viewing preference. It is hypothesized that viewers' perceived magnitudes of selected scenic components are positively related to viewers' visual preferences, and that these relationships vary for different viewer classifications. The study was accomplished by combining published visual preference research findings into a questionnaire that was scored by 309 respondents while looking at 12 scenic color slides. Their scenic component assessments and viewing preferences were measured on a seven point Likert scale instrument and subsequently examined using four separate analytical techniques. Factor analysis revealed that color variety, complexity, bright colors, and verdancy are highly related. Correlation analyses found memories, bright colors, color variety, and verdancy to be highly related to viewing preference. ANOVA found significant differences within the seven viewer classifications concerning the perception of component magnitudes and preference. Descriptive analysis found that memories, understanding, spaciousness, and depth were dominating viewers' visual domains when they liked a scene. The study also revealed that increases in perception of certain visual components are related to increases in viewing preference. The study supports the hypothesis that the perceived magnitude of certain components in a scene is positively related to the magnitude of viewing preference. Also supported is the hypothesis that there are significant differences among viewers when assessing the perceived magnitude of scenic components, and when assessing visual preference