Scott, M.J. & D.V. Canter, 1997, Picture or place? A multiple sorting study of landscape, in: Journal of Environmental Psychology, 17,
- Author : Scott, M.J. & D.V. Canter
- Year : 1997
- Journal/Series : Journal of Environmental Psychology
- Volume Number (CONSECUTIVE: Counting all Volumes of this Journal ever published) : 17
- Pages : 263-281
- Abstract in English : Landscape preference research examines the types of landscapes that people prefer, and explores why they prefer them. Such information can be applied to conservation and landscape design, also towards a greater understanding of what is aesthetically pleasing across a wide range of places. For practical reasons, photographs are usually used as representatives of various landscapes, and it is often assumed that the photographs will be evaluated in the same way as the place depicted in the photograph. Is the aim of this paper to demonstrate theoretically and empirically, that there is a difference between an evaluation of the content of a photograph and an evaluation of experience of the place as if the person was actually there. Place experience includes information from all the senses, and although evaluation is based primarily on the visual aspect the information from other senses is important. This study (in which photographs have been used too) shows that it is possible to explore the experience of places using relatively simple and cost-effective means. The results of such procedures enable the area of place evaluations to move beyond an exploration of the picturesque to a more careful examination of how the place connects with people’s lives. This has theoretical implications in questioning strongly biological explorations of landscape preference. It also has practical implications in showing the ways in which the meaning s and associations with places may be more powerful in influencing decisions about them than what is depicted in photographs.
- Comments/Notes : KEYWORDS: environmental psychology, preferences, landscape assessment, multi-sensory stimuli, place experience (zie glossary for the latest term).