Citation

Schroeder HW. J. Environ. Psychol. 1987; 7(2): 123-141.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1987, Academic Press)

DOI

10.1016/S0272-4944(87)80021-X

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The psychophysical approach to landscape assessment shows how subjective perceptions of landscapes are related to objective physical attributes of the environment. Most research following this approach uses aggregate ratings of landscapes made by panels of observers. Aggregating responses, however, conceals variations in preference among individual members within an observer panel. Using example data from a study of urban park preference, this paper shows how individual variations in preference may be investigated within the framework of the psychophysical approach. Two dimensions underlying observers' ratings of park landscapes are revealed, which are related to the vegetation density and development intensity of the park. Individual preference variations may be represented in visual displays, and characteristics of the raters can be included along with attributes of the landscape in models for predicting environmental preference.