Personality and aesthetic preferences in architecture: a review of the study approaches and assessment methods

Abstract

It is often believed and expected that a clear relationship exists between human personality and human preferences in architecture. However, by reviewing the findings of previous studies, it is found out that such expectation is not necessarily true, as there is no consistency among previous findings. This study provides a critical review and overall classification of various research approaches and assessment methods used in previous studies. In addition, the theoretical and practical shortcomings of each approach have been introduced. Next, the psychological approach is recommended as a more feasible one, and the studies carried out using this approach are structurally analyzed. The theoretical frameworks, strategies and the execution tactics of these researches were critically reviewed. Finally, a systematic quadruple model was suggested for evaluating aesthetic experiences and judgments. After presenting the manifest and the hidden variables with this model, machine learning helped to discover the hidden patterns in the personality and human preferences.