The Influence of Users' Spatial Familiarity on Their Emotional Perception of Space and Wayfinding Movement Patterns.

Ju Yeon Kim,Jong Ha Kim,Won Hee Han,Jin Kyung Choi

doi:10.3390/s21082583

Ju Yeon Kim, Jong Ha Kim + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/s21082583

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Abstract

In order to evaluate the sensory perceptions of users who visited a train station, this study aimed to conduct an evaluation of their spatial emotions and identify the distance and type of transfer. For evaluation and verification, emotional recognition and wayfinding types were analyzed according to types in the groups (gender, age, and spatial familiarity) of experimental participants. There were two research questions: “Will the length of movement patterns in the experiment environment vary depending on the types of the participant group?” and “Is there any moderating effect in the interaction between spatial familiarity and the types of the participant groups?” A total of 28 participants were recruited with consideration of gender, age, and familiarity with spatial experience, which were used to analyze the participant groups. The experiment was conducted at a train station, and a vignette was presented to the participants to record the route and pattern of their wayfinding, followed by providing a questionnaire to record their spatial perception. SPSS was used to conduct a T-test, factor analysis, and multidimensional scaling (MDS). The differences in spatial perception were arranged in visual positioning based on emotional vocabulary, and average movement distances in the participant groups were compared in accordance with the type of wayfinding and interaction effect by ANOVA. The results showed that there was a difference in spatial perception depending on the negative emotional vocabulary and type of participant. An emotional positioning map for average comparison was prepared for each participant group (gender, age, and spatial familiarity) by using the factors extracted in the factor analysis (emotional factor, management factor, and aesthetic factor). Female and unfamiliar groups displayed negative results in the emotional factor (F = 7.202, p < 0.05). In addition, male and familiar groups displayed negative results in the management factor (F = 3.058, p < 0.10). In wayfinding, there was an interaction between gender and the resident group based on the status of their spatial familiarity. Through this, it was possible to extract negative emotional evaluations according to the type of participant and the interaction factors for the type and length of the wayfinding.

Highlights

IntroductionWayfinding is the act of starting from a specific point and arriving at a destination
This study evaluated the emotional vocabulary and transit path distance of users through a wayfinding experiment in a specific section of Suwon station, where users are frequently confused and lost
This study provides an analysis framework for human environmental psychology and differences in transfer in two categories, familiarity and unfamiliarity, which are shown in the behavior of traveling to the destination in a complex space through wayfinding

Summary

Introduction

Wayfinding is the act of starting from a specific point and arriving at a destination. It refers to a series of cognitive processes that involve the abilities of understanding the surrounding environment, establishing a plan, converting it into a behavioral activity, and implementing the necessary decision at each moment [1]. Recognizing the surrounding environment in wayfinding has an important meaning as the first step. Most behaviors made by people take place in the context of their environment.

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