Dimensions of meaning in the perception of natural settings and their relationship to aesthetic response

Abstract

This research identified, through the use of pairwise similarity judgements and a repertory grid methodology, the dimensions of meaning individuals use in discriminating among natural settings, and the relationship of these dimensions to aesthetic response. Randomly selected photographic stimuli were presented to 52 subjects in an experimental setting, using a micro‐computer to control presentation of stimuli and tasks. Five dimensions of meaning were identified, with subjects differentially weighting these dimensions in terms of their salience to aesthetic response. It is argued that although the collative properties of experimentally derived stimuli are important in modifying arousal levels (Berlyne, 1971), when investigating “environments” and not “stimuli”, the perceived meaning or ecological properties (Berlyne, 1971) are additional and important determinants of aesthetic response.