Gaze correlates of view preference: Comparing natural and urban scenes

Batool, A; Rutherford, P; McGraw, P; Ledgeway, T; Altomonte, S

Abstract

When looking out of a window, natural views are usually associated with restorative qualities and are given a higher preference than urban scenes. Previous research has shown that gaze behaviour might differ based on the natural or urban content of views. A lower number of fixations has been associated with the aesthetic evaluation of natural scenes while, when looking at an urban environment, a high preference has been correlated with more exploratory gaze behaviours. To characterise gaze correlates of view preference across natural and urban scenes, we collected and analysed experimental data featuring subjective preference ratings, eye-tracking measures, verbal reasoning associated with preference and nature relatedness scores. Consistent with the literature, our results confirm that natural scenes are more preferred than urban views and that gaze behaviours depend on view type and preference. Observing natural scenes was characterised by lower numbers of fixations and saccades, and longer fixation durations, compared to urban views. However, for both view types, most preferred scenes led to more fixations and saccades. Our findings also showed that nature relatedness may be correlated with visual exploration of scenes. Individual preferences and personality attributes, therefore, should be accounted for in studies on view preference and gaze behaviour.

Citation

Batool, A., Rutherford, P., McGraw, P., Ledgeway, T., & Altomonte, S. (2022). Gaze correlates of view preference: Comparing natural and urban scenes. Lighting Research and Technology, 54(6), 576-594. https://doi.org/10.1177/14771535211055703

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 7, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Nov 29, 2021
• Publication Date: 2022-10
• Deposit Date: Oct 21, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 29, 2021
• Journal: Lighting Research and Technology
• Print ISSN: 1477-1535
• Electronic ISSN: 1477-0938
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 54
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 576-594
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/14771535211055703
• Keywords: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/6507243
• Publisher URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/14771535211055703