Browsing by Subject "Aesthetic preferences"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2

Open Access
The effects of personal traits and complexity on aesthetic preferences
(2017-06) Bilgiç, Naz
This study explores the relationship between aesthetic preferences related to visual complexity and personal traits. For this purpose, we used nine images with geometric shapes and nine photographs of building façades, each of which was manipulated to represent three complexity levels. According to “The Big-Five Model”, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability (Neuroticism), and Intellect are the five main personal traits. Effect of these personal traits on aesthetic preferences about visual complexity was examined by conducting an online research with 207 respondents (144 women and 63 men). Results show that the relationship between aesthetic preference for complexity on geometric shapes and age is positive which means older respondents prefer more complex stimuli than younger ones.Results also revealed that interrelationship between rated complexity of geometric shapes and agreeableness is positive which means when a person has the higher score in agreeableness he/she also rates geometric shapes as more complex. The interrelationship of rated complexity of geometric shapes and conscientiousness also is positive. A similar tendency exists on the complexity ratings of building façades for the respondents who have higher scores of extraversion. People who have higher scores on extraversion rated building façades as more complex. As a result of this study conducted with geometric shapes and building façades, personal traits, complexity and familiarity are affected the aesthetic preference of respondents.
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.