Browsing by Author "Beder, Dilara"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2

Open Access
Correlates of dormitory satisfaction and diferences involving social density and room locations
(Springer Dordrecht, 2023-05-20) Beder, Dilara; İmamoğlu, Çağrı
The basic variables associated with the dormitory satisfaction of 140 undergraduate university students were examined using a questionnaire. Secondly, the roles of (a) gender diferences and (b) distance of the rooms to communal areas, (c) room density (i.e., identical rooms housing three vs. four students), and (d) dormitory layout (i.e., clustered vs. long corridor design) on crowding and privacy were explored. The aims of the present studies were twofold: The frst aim was to explore variables associated with students’ satisfaction with their university dormitories. The second aim was to examine diferences in dormitory satisfaction as a function of density, room location with respect to hallway design, and distance to communal areas. The results indicated that the level of dormitory satisfaction seems to increase with decreasing room density, having a clustered hallway design as opposed to a long corridor design, and being further away from as opposed to closer to communal areas. In other words, higher density and proximity of rooms to communal areas seem to increase crowding and reduce privacy. Although female students reported being less satisfed with their dormitories, they seemed to be more satisfed with their social relationships compared to men. The study examines the role of multiple factors involving the relationship of room density, dormitory design, distance of rooms to communal areas with reported privacy, crowding, and dormitory satisfaction using both correlational data and feld experiments. The results may contribute to improving dormitory designs and enhance our understanding of issues related to privacy and dormitory satisfaction.
Open Access
Using eye tracking to understand the impact of visual complexity and perceptual fluency on viewers’ aesthetic preferences
(2024-09) Beder, Dilara
This study investigates the interplay between cognitive styles, visual complexity, and aesthetic evaluations in environmental psychology and architectural design, utilizing Gestalt principles. Our research was divided into two studies. In Study I, we examined the aesthetic evaluations of 24 two-dimensional geometric stimuli, manipulated using the Gestalt principles of similarity based on color and shape differences, with 39 participants. In Study II, we focused on architectural façades and used 24 two-dimensional stimuli, manipulated through the Gestalt principles of similarity and proximity, to assess aesthetic evaluations with 79 participants. Participants were classified as Field Dependent or Field Independent using the Hidden Figures Test. Additionally, we collected their aesthetic evaluations through questionnaires, supported by eye-tracking data to assess visual attention. Study I revealed a U-shaped relationship between visual complexity and aesthetic evaluations, with both low and high complexity stimuli rated higher than medium complexity ones. Study II found an inverse relationship between complexity and aesthetic ratings, with simpler façades generally preferred. Gestalt principles significantly influenced aesthetic judgments, with shape-based similarity rated higher than color-based similarity for geometric designs, and proximity-based façades rated higher than similarity-based façades in architectural contexts. Although cognitive styles did not significantly impact overall aesthetic evaluations, nuanced differences were identified in the responses of Field Dependent participants when comparing proximity-based to similarity-based designs. Gaze metrics data indicated that higher complexity levels led to more fixations and shorter fixation durations, reflecting more extensive visual exploration. These findings offer insights into how cognitive styles, complexity, and Gestalt principles shape aesthetic perceptions, informing design practices to enhance user experience.