Perception Of Space Research Articles

Relating visual and pictorial space: Integration of binocular disparity and motion parallax.

Traditionally, perceptual spaces are defined by the medium through which the visual environment is conveyed (e.g., in a physical environment, through a picture, or on a screen). This approach overlooks the distinct contributions of different types of visual information, such as binocular disparity and motion parallax, that transform different visual environments to yield different perceptual spaces. The current study proposes a new approach to describe different perceptual spaces based on different visual information. A geometrical model was developed to delineate the transformations imposed by binocular disparity and motion parallax, including (a) a relief depth scaling along the observer's line of sight and (b) pictorial distortions that rotate the entire perceptual space, as well as the invariant properties after these transformations, including distance, three-dimensional shape, and allocentric direction. The model was fitted to the behavioral results from two experiments, wherein the participants rotated a human figure to point at different targets in virtual reality. The pointer was displayed on a virtual frame that could differentially manipulate the availability of binocular disparity and motion parallax. The model fitted the behavioral results well, and model comparisons validated the relief scaling in the form of depth expansion and the pictorial distortions in the form of an isotropic rotation. Fitted parameters showed that binocular disparity renders distance invariant but also introduces relief depth expansion to three-dimensional objects, whereas motion parallax keeps allocentric direction invariant. We discuss the implications of the mediating effects of binocular disparity and motion parallax when connecting different perceptual spaces.

Active listening modulates the spatial hearing experience: a multicentric study.

Although flexible and portable virtual reality technologies have simplified measuring participants' perception of acoustic space, their clinical adoption remains limited, often lacking ecological fidelity. In clinical practice, participants are typically instructed to remain still when testing sound localization, whereas head movements are crucial in daily life. Additionally, assessing spatial hearing extends beyond measuring accuracy to include meta-cognitive evaluations like perceived effort and confidence, which are rarely adopted. Our study hypothesized that allowing head movement during sound localization, compared to a static head condition, would reduce perceived listening effort and enhance confidence in normal hearing participants. Conducted across three audiology and otology hospital services in Northern Italy, the study involved personnel inexperienced with our VR equipment. This also tested the feasibility and usability of our VR approach in clinical settings. Results showed that head movements reduced subjective effort but did not significantly affect perceived confidence. However, during the active condition, participants reporting higher confidence exhibited less head movement and explored the space less. Similarly, those with less head movement reported lower listening effort. These findings underscore the importance of allowing natural posture to capture the full extent of spatial hearing capabilities and the value of including metacognitive evaluations in assessing performance. Our use of affordable, off-the-shelf VR equipment effectively measured spatial hearing in clinical settings, providing a flexible alternative to current static systems. This approach highlights the potential for more dynamic and comprehensive assessments in clinical audiology.

A Systematic Literature Review of Cross-Cultural Studies on Interior Perception

Individuals, as the fundamental building blocks of societies, engage in a continuous and evolving relationship with their environments, fostering unique cognitive patterns within their cultures. Factors like geography, climate, historical events, and social dispositions can lead to differences in cultural perceptions across different regions. On the other hand, spaces reflect ways of life and cultural values. Individuals’ perceptions and behaviours within their surroundings may differ depending on the cultures they belong to. Environmental studies within cultural contexts have been of interest in the architecture and psychology fields. There has been a notable increase in research interest in cross-cultural spatial perception. However, the studies mostly focus on the scale of architecture or landscape design. Interior spaces can be seen as one of the main surroundings for people, especially in the context of the current century urban context we live in. Therefore, it is essential to understand the differences in cultural perceptions of space to promote inclusivity within the global cultural context. This study aims to examine the similarities and differences between interior perception studies from a cross-cultural perspective. The systematic literature mapping method with inclusion and exclusion criteria was used within the Scopus database, and in total, 26 relevant perception studies focusing on cultural variation were selected and analyzed according to different interior typologies and countries. The findings indicate that individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds respond differently to various spatial typologies and interior spaces, with these differences linked to factors such as space programming, color choices, and levels of privacy.

Study on the travelers’ P&R usage behavior during snowfall in the corridor valley pattern city

According to the characteristics of corridor valley pattern cities, this paper presents four aspects of terrain space perception. Using a structural equation model (SEM), the four-dimensional terrain space perception is analyzed through second-order confirmatory factor analysis. A random parameter Logit model (RPLM) was developed to examine the impact of individual socioeconomic attributes, objective built environment, travel characteristics, and terrain space perception on travelers’ Park and Ride (P&R) use behavior during snowfall conditions. Additionally, a Logit model was utilized to assess how individual socioeconomic attributes of travelers in corridor valley pattern cities influence their perception of terrain space during snowfall weather. The findings indicate that the four latent variables related to terrain space perception proposed in this paper effectively explain travelers’ perception of terrain space in corridor valley pattern cities, and the observed variables also support these latent variables. The subjective and objective built environment of corridor valley pattern cities significantly affect travelers’ P&R usage behavior during snowfall weather, and there is heterogeneity in the terrain space perception during snowfall weather among different travelers in corridor valley pattern cities. Furthermore, the gender, age, income, and experience of using P&R of travelers in corridor valley pattern cities play a significant role in moderating terrain space perception.

How large-scale sport events redefine rurality? CunBA and the (re)production of rurality in China

The rural revitalization experience in China is being transformed by the village basketball association (CunBA), an event embedded in rural everyday practices or strategically designed to shape the perception of rural space. As this event integrates into daily rural life, it has the potential to alter both rural space and rurality itself. Using the theoretical framwork of performing rurality and employing Actor Network Theory (ANT) as an analytical tool, this paper examines the process and effects of rurality transformation as various actors, including the state and digital platform users, become part of this network. Through the analysis of semi-structured interviews and netnography data, the study reveals that the reconstruction of rurality is influenced by the interactions within a heterogeneous actor network. It finds that rurality is enacted within a dynamically equilibrated network and that the meaning and outcomes of rurality are redefined through the interactions between human and non-human actors and the evolving network. By focusing on rural China, this paper aims to contextualize the concept of ‘performing rurality’ and further explore its theoretical issues in a digital context. The findings indicate that rural revitalization in China increasingly depends on digital platforms to perform rurality. This phenomenon must be understood within the context of ‘post-rurality’ and the broader socio-cultural processes behind it in rural China.

COVID-19 impacts on residential preferences for parks and green-blue spaces: A case study from Miami-Dade County, Florida

While the pandemic has enhanced positive perceptions of parks and green-blue spaces, there remains ongoing debate about whether this has translated into increased usage of these areas and a higher valuation of such proximities in the real estate market. Simply desiring more time in parks does not necessarily equate to a readiness to pay more for homes nearby. By analyzing housing transaction data, we investigated changes in residential preferences over a seven-year span, segmented into three phases: pre-pandemic (2015–2019), pandemic (2020−2021), and post-pandemic (2022). We focused particularly on the evolving attitudes toward parks, green-blue spaces, and their associated sports and social amenities during and after the pandemic, linking these shifts to trends in COVID-19 cases. Our findings revealed dynamic changes in homebuyer preferences toward parks, urban greenspaces, and coastal amenities. Notably, there was a decline in the willingness to pay for proximity to parks in 2021 and 2022, whereas the value assigned to homes near natural or designed walking trails significantly rose from 2020 to 2022. Coastal and beachfront properties continued to positively impact housing prices, a trend that the pandemic appears to have reinforced. These changes in preferences also showed significant geographical diversity, suggesting that the pandemic's influence on residential preferences is closely tied to local culture and urban landscapes. Our study suggests that while the pandemic may temporarily alter preferences not deeply rooted in a city's culture, only those preferences that are intrinsic to a locality are likely to persist.

Spatial culture code as an element of the metaphorization process

The study of the concept and essence of space, the characteristics of its perception and verbalization has become widespread in various fields of knowledge, including in the cognitive field of linguistic research. Space is of particular importance for the individual, since through its prism the perception of reality takes place. The article examines the peculiarities of formation of a trope with spatial semantics as a result of the action of the metaphorization mechanism.The purpose of the research: to determine the meaning of the spatial culture code in the formation of a trope with spatial semantics.Methods of the research: descriptive, comparative, component analysis method.The results: along with the perceived similarity conceptualized at the level of cognition between the cognitive-perceptual-affective experience of an individual, its object and components as a result of metaphorization operations (analogization, similarity and resemblance), the spatial culture code takes part in the metaphorization process. It has been established that spatial perception is a complex process that combines perceptual and cognitive elements. The result of the perception of space (image) is a significant element of the individual’s perceptual experience, which is the basis of the process of metaphorization, as a result of which a trope with spatial semantics is formed. This type of trope can be based on both a spatial and non-spatial image, since lexemes that verbalize a trope with spatial meaning can change the semantics during the operation of the cognitive mechanism of metaphorization.The conceptualization of perceptual-cognitive-affective experience is not identical among representatives of different linguistic cultures. Tropes with spatial semantics have cultural markings due to the changing experience of an individual’s interaction with the reality.Conclusion: the process of metaphorization is influenced by the spatial culture code.

ФЕНОМЕН АЛОЦЕНТРИЗМУ: У ФОКУСІ ПСИХОЛОГІЧНИХ ДОСЛІДЖЕНЬ

The article analyzes the multidimensional construct of allocentrism, which is understood as a way of thinking and cognition in which a person relies on an external reference system and puts other people, not himself, in the focus of attention. Various approaches to the study of allocentrism are analyzed, including neurobiological, psychological and socio-psychological studies. It is shown that allocentrism is not a homogeneous phenomenon, but manifests itself at different levels of the human psyche, from neural processes to social behavior. Three levels of study of this phenomenon are distinguished. At the psychophysiological level, the perception of space and orientation in it are studied; methods: encephalogram, functional magnetic resonance imaging, virtual technologies. At the psychological level, the ability to take the position of another, to look at the world through their eyes is studied; methods: self-esteem scale, value questionnaires, projective methods for completing sentences, scenario stimuli. At the socio-psychological level, the ability of the individual to take into account the interests and needs of others is considered; methods: INDCOL scale, other individualism-collectivism scales. The complexity of defining and measuring allocentrism is emphasized, as it is closely intertwined with other psychological phenomena, such as decentering, collectivism, and empathy. Their common and distinctive characteristics are highlighted. Some methodological aspects of the study of allocentrism are considered, including the advantages and disadvantages of such methods as self-report questionnaires, experimental tasks, and neuroimaging. The need for more accurate and valid instruments to measure allocentrism at different levels, which will be useful in counseling and therapy, is emphasized. Key words: allocentrism, decentering, collectivism, empathy, neuropsychology, allocentric personality.

Classification of Art Objects in the Context of Interior Space Design

The aim of the article is to establish the main categories for classifying art objects with the definition and study of their characteristics regarding the visual and functional impact on the design of interior space, taking into account both traditional and modern trends. Research methods include comparative analysis, field survey, description, systematization and generalization, as well as the results of many years of creative project practice. The scientific novelty lies in the proposed classification of art objects to create a coherent system in terms of its use in the design of interior space. The results of the research are based on the analysis of examples of modern art and project practice. Conclusions. In the process of research, a classification of art objects was created according to six basic categories, which allow tracking the peculiarities of the functioning of a certain art object in the interior. The first of the categories considered the distinction by types of art, according to which it was determined that in relation to traditional types of art, the art object functions, complementing the general artistic concept of the interior, establishing a figurative connection with its space; instead, correlated with modern forms of art, the art object acquires features and a way of functioning of non-traditional arts with modern means of expression, technologies and materials. The second category of division is by function: the predominance of the utilitarian function in an art object allows its introduction as a constructive element of the interior or equipment; while the predominance of the aesthetic function can state the decorative use of the art object. The third category of dividing art objects is by size: large-sized art objects are designed for perception in a sufficiently large space from a long distance; small-sized art objects are designed for perception from a close distance in smaller rooms. The fourth category is based on the form of expression: the realistic form is based on images that correspond to nature and gives the interior space a traditional character; instead, the abstract form with the use of non-realistic means of expression endows the interior space with features of modernity and uncertain content. The fifth category of division is by style: accordingly, the modern style of art objects involves involvement in various currents and directions of modern art, and the means of expression change the traditional appearance of space and its filling; instead, traditional stylistics uses classical forms and means of expression characteristic of known historical trends. The sixth category of division is based on materials: art objects with the use of traditional materials reveal the specificity and structure corresponding to nature, and in the visual perception of the interior space, they give it comprehensibility, basicity and reliability; instead, modern materials allow you to create new forms in the interior space with the help of art objects.

Developing a Method to Evaluate Public Space Perception in River Valley Plain Villages of the Loess Gully Area Based on Villagers’ Perspectives

The natural conditions in the loess gully area are harsh, and the construction of rural public spaces often lacks scientific guidance. It is essential to develop an optimization method for public spaces that is oriented toward the needs of villagers. For this study, the numerous river valley plain villages in Northern Shaanxi were selected as typical examples, with a focus on Liangqu Village as a case study. First, a public space perception evaluation system was established using the semantic differential method, which comprised four criterion-layer factors and nineteen indicator-layer factors. Perception evaluations were conducted for two types of public spaces: nodes and lanes. The results indicate that “facility completeness”, “accessibility”, and “activity diversity” were the most significant factors affecting villagers’ perceptions of node spaces. In contrast, “safety”, “landscape richness”, and “facility completeness” were the most critical factors influencing villagers’ perceptions of road spaces. Based on the evaluation results, the optimization needs of public spaces were categorized into four levels, and factors that urgently require improvement such as “facility completeness” and “safety” were identified. This study analyzed villagers’ perceptions and needs related to public spaces, providing scientific guidance for establishing a bottom-up design method for optimizing public spaces.

The social commentary of Squid Game: reflections on Korean art, space and inequality

This paper discusses how communal spaces of childhood activity in Korea are reimagined in the drama Squid Game as part of a social commentary on class and economy. Many spaces shown in Squid Game are nostalgic representations of common Korean playgrounds, parks, and urban neighborhoods. In the show, however, these spaces of delightful memory are transformed into gory places where the literalized violence of neoliberal capitalism plays out. I argue that the creators of the show participate in a history of understanding communal spaces as focal points of social structure and expression that have been crucial in Korea since the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897). The use of such spaces over centuries, including their reenvisioning in modern media, illustrates how political and economic relationships are intimately tied to constructions and perceptions of space. Through a detailed structural, visual, and semiotic analysis of the communal spaces of historical and modern urban Korea, and a comparison with the spaces in Squid Game, I argue that social spaces are intimately tied to social hierarchies and the long history of inequality in Korea.

A study on color visual perception of museum exhibition space based on eye movement experiments.

Color is an essential element in the exhibition space of museums, influencing people's visual experience. To quantitatively study the relationship between color and individual visual perception in museum exhibition spaces, the study used eye-tracking technology combined with a questionnaire, exploring the relationship between color and visual perception in the exhibition environments of history museums in terms of hue, saturation, and brightness of color. Taking the Ruijin Central Revolutionary Base in Jiangxi Province as a historical display space for research, the results show that when the saturation is 69-77%, or the hue is red (0°H), the exhibited. environments have stronger color attractiveness. The study demonstrated that the first fixation duration in eye movement data significantly negatively correlates with the subject's personal preference, comfort, pleasure, and attractiveness. Researchers can use this as an evaluation parameter for visual perception of exhibition space.

User Perceptions of Green Spaces in Public Parks

User Perceptions of Green Spaces in Public Parks

From traditional to digital contexts: new characteristics of the public’s spatial perception of urban streets in the age of technology

The constant development of internet technology in the digital age has changed the way people interact with space. To explore whether and what changes have occurred in the public’s spatial perception of the street during the shift from the traditional to the digital age, this paper compares the public’s spatial perception characteristics in the two contexts through a classical theory review and empirical coding analysis with the Xiaolouxiang historic district as an empirical case. The frameworks of public spatial perception characteristics are similar in both contexts, with a focus on the three dimensions of objects, buildings and spaces, and activities. However, compared with that in the traditional context, the public’s spatial perception of the street in the digital context of Xiaolouxiang has undergone new changes in three aspects: from focusing on the three-dimensional experience of space to focusing on the two-dimensional visual aesthetics of space, from emphasizing spatial totality to focusing on spatial details, and from focusing on the use of space to emphasizing the cultural characteristics of space. Research emphasizes that, within the context of digitalization, spatial design should place greater emphasis on visual aesthetics, detail processing, and cultural expression to better meet the needs and expectations of the public. This work identifies new features of the public’s perception of urban street space in the context of digitalization and accordingly provides suggestions for the future design of urban street space. The findings of this study not only enrich the foundational research content of spatial perception theory but also offer new perspectives for designers and planners in the practice of urban block renovation.

Embodied Spaces in Digital Times: Exploring the Role of Instagram in Shaping Temporal Dimensions and Perceptions of Architecture

This study explores Instagram’s influence on sensory and experiential engagement with architecture in the digital age. Using a phenomenological approach, we studied the impact of Instagram’s visual features, such as filters, geotagging, and hashtags, on user interactions and perceptions of architectural spaces. The research demonstrates that Instagram transforms traditional architectural experiences into dynamic visual narratives that integrate real and virtual elements, altering our understanding of space and time. While acknowledging that architectural experience encompasses form, function, and historical context, this paper specifically focuses on Instagram’s role in mediating perceptual experiences. By analyzing user engagement patterns and content trends, the study highlights how Instagram shapes architectural design practices and the creation of spaces tailored for digital interaction. This study offers a comprehensive view of the complex relationship between digital media and architectural perception, identifying both the opportunities and challenges presented by the platform in influencing our understanding of architectural spaces.

Locating Young Women in Public Space

Young women have largely been left out of public space design and planning processes. There is a need for meaningful knowledge production to be centred on, and grounded within, this group. In this viewpoint, we propose and evaluate our feminist spatial researcher-in-residence methodology for engaging young women in design and planning processes. We developed this model for a series of peer research projects on gender and perceptions of public space, with individuals who identify as girls and young women in the UK from April 2022 to October 2023. We first give an overview of our method which focuses on peer research – notably the researcher-in-residence model – and subsequently go on to discuss two central aspects: (un)learning and visual methods. We argue that such approaches contrast traditional methods of doing research with young people (e.g. surveying), by giving us ways of exploring the banality (eg. benches) and complexity (feelings of safety) of young women’s experiences of the public realm; and by allowing research participants to have greater agency in representing their own lifeworlds. It is our view that this methodology makes the case for why it is essential to value the tacit knowledge that young women and girls have in meaningful and attentive ways if we are to create an inclusive public realm.

Shifting perceptions of green and blue spaces during the COVID‐19 pandemic in gentrifying neighbourhoods: Experiences of inclusion and exclusion by women and non‐binary residents

Abstract The COVID‐19 outbreak triggered a combined health, social and economic crisis, imposing multiple restrictions that altered the use and perception of public green and blue spaces (PGBS). In this article, we explored how the different stages of the COVID‐19 pandemic restrictions affected the use and perceptions of public greenspaces and seafront in gentrifying neighbourhoods, focusing specifically on women and non‐binary residents. We conducted a comparative analysis of two densely populated neighbourhoods in Barcelona, Spain, employing a participatory mixed‐methods approach including surveys, focus groups, participatory walks and semi‐structured interviews. We collected the perceptions from women and non‐binary residents for the pre‐pandemic period, the lockdown period and the period during the post‐lockdown gradual ease of restrictions. Our findings reveal that during the COVID‐19 lockdown, the use of neighbourhood PGBS was maintained or intensified, highlighting the existing deficit in the denser areas of the city. However, post‐lockdown, use patterns changed, with differences based on neighbourhood characteristics and gentrification pressures. This suggests that while COVID‐19 seemed to temporarily impact how people used PGBS, these changes were rapidly reversed once mobility restrictions were lifted. During and after the pandemic, PGBS facilitated informal care networks and community cohesion that helped residents endure the impacts of the pandemic, but the return of gentrification and touristification pressures disrupted these networks, heightening feelings of displacement and exclusion among women and non‐binary residents. The research underscores the dual role of PGBS as both essential community spaces and sites of exclusion, emphasizing the need for inclusive and just green planning strategies. Policy implications. Urban planning must prioritize the quality and accessibility of PGBS with a gender‐sensitive approach and address broader issues of gentrification and touristification to protect vulnerable populations. An environmentally just greening approach should consider proximity, safety, accessibility and design to facilitate the use of PGBS by socially vulnerable groups. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

The Role of Sound in Shaping Architectural Spaces: A Multisensory Approach

The integration of sound within the built environment represents a pivotal yet often overlooked aspect of architectural design. This study explores the multifaceted dimensions of sound incorporation, emphasizing its potential to profoundly impact spatial experience and individual well-being. Through a comprehensive review of the literature, the study elucidates the diverse roles sound plays in shaping human perception, social interactions, and environmental quality. Sound, as a fundamental element of sensory experience, significantly influences our perception of space and place. Whether through the subtle ambiance of natural sounds or the deliberate orchestration of architectural acoustics, sound has the power to evoke emotions, establish atmosphere, and define spatial boundaries. Incorporating sound consciously into architectural processes presents opportunities to enhance the quality of life for inhabitants. By prioritizing acoustic comfort and fostering sonic diversity, designers can create environments that promote relaxation, productivity, and social cohesion. Furthermore, leveraging technology and design strategies enables the optimization of soundscapes to mitigate negative sounds and improve overall environmental sustainability.

The perception of urban green space during the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of Wrocław

Green spaces are integral to urban landscape, serving ecological, health, and recreational functions. During the pandemic, urban green spaces were crucial for enabling safe social distancing and enhancing well-being. This study delves into the perception, accessibilities, and qualities of urban green spaces in Wrocław during and after the pandemic. A survey was conducted to understand causes and effects of diverse usage of the urban green space, assessing changes in usage frequency before, during, and after lockdown, as well as public awareness of benefits associated with green spaces. Proximity to green spaces emerges as a key factor as people prefer easily and quick access to these areas. The study also noted a partial modification of social behaviour and increased social and ecological awareness. The results reveal evident development of new daily habits. Although the beginning of the pandemic led to discomfort, adaptive behaviours soon followed, changing daily routines and previous leisure activities. Given the findings on availability and adequacy of green spaces, it is advisable to rearrange these areas to meet the diverse needs of inhabitants.

Investigating the Kappa Effect Elicited Through Concurrent Visual and Tactile Stimulation.

The experience of time and space in subjective perception is closely connected. The Kappa effect refers to the phenomenon where the perceived duration of the time interval between stimuli is influenced by the spatial distance between them. In this study, we aimed to explore the Kappa effect from a psychophysical perspective. We investigated participants' perception of temporal duration in the sub-second range by delivering visual and tactile inputs through wearable devices placed on both the palm and the forearm. We compared the impact of unimodal sensory stimulation, involving either visual or tactile stimuli, with different bimodal stimulation conditions. Our results revealed that the illusory effect on inter-stimulus duration perception can be observed in both unimodal conditions, although the distortions were significantly more pronounced in vision. In the multimodal stimulation condition, where visual stimuli were presented at non-equidistant spatial locations, the integration of tactile input did not reduce the Kappa effect, regardless of the spatial location of the tactile stimuli. However, when the visual stimuli were equidistant in space, regardless of the spatial location of the tactile stimuli, the Kappa effect disappeared. These results can shed light on the effect played by multimodality on the perception of space and time.