Perceptual Dimensions Research Articles

A measuring instrument for the perceptual dimensions of road traffic noisea).

Road traffic, especially in urban environments, is one of the major sources of our everyday soundscape and its impact on human well-being and health is well documented. While most studies have used perceived annoyance as an indicator of perceptual impact, little is known about the dimensions that define the perceptual space evoked by the different characteristics of road traffic noise and the acoustic correlates of these dimensions. Therefore, the present study developed a psychological instrument to measure the qualities of road traffic noise. Based on a sample of contrast pairs created from third-order Ambisonics recordings of various traffic scenes in and around Berlin and reproduced in the laboratory, attributes were elicited using a standardized but open-ended procedure. Subsequently, 45 of the recorded traffic scenes were rated by 115 participants using a redundancy-adjusted set of attributes. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the questionnaire data yielded two optimal solutions with five and seven factors spanning the perceptual dimensions. The resulting psychometrically validated instruments, in the form of 15-item and 21-item questionnaires, can be used for the perceptual assessment and for the further development of technical parameters to predict not only annoyance but also other salient qualities of traffic-related soundscapes.

Social Sustainability and Subjective Well-Being: A Study on Italian Inner Areas

Social sustainability relies on the promotion of social processes and structures that ensure the basic needs of individuals and communities are met while also encouraging constructive interactions among them. This paper offers an overview of the characteristics of Italy’s peripheral rural areas and presents findings from a targeted survey conducted across three southern Italian regions. Evaluations collected from a sample of residents were analyzed using the class of CUB models, which are suitable for preference and opinion data. Subjective perceptions of well-being and quality of life, community participation, and the quality of social relationships were examined. Residents’ opinions on the available services in the areas, including economic facilities, digitalization, and transportation, were also considered. Our research indicates that perceptions of well-being in the peripheral areas of Italy are remarkably influenced by individuals’ assessments of their income adequacy. Our findings establish a strong connection between a positive self-assessment of well-being and the belief that income can sufficiently meet needs. Exploring the perceptual dimensions of well-being can offer valuable insights for stakeholders and decision-makers in developing policy efforts and community-led social innovations, which are critical for fighting sentiments of marginalization in rural areas caused by economic perceptions.

Rats can distinguish (and generalize) among two white wine varieties

In the olfactory literature there is considerable debate about how differences in olfactory receptors across different species map onto variations in perceptual acuity and performance. Although humans have fewer functional olfactory receptors than most other mammals, it has been suggested that linguistic and cognitive abilities help compensate for this apparent deficit and enhance discriminative abilities, particularly through humans’ ability to categorize sensory stimuli into conceptual categories. However, previous research suggests that non-human animals can learn complex categories, involving multiple perceptual dimensions, indicating that they can discriminate complex odor stimuli without language. We investigated generalization over complex olfactory categories by examining rats' discrimination of wine varieties, a challenging task for humans that has been suggested to rely heavily on human-specific linguistic, cognitive and categorization abilities. Nine rats were trained in an olfactory discrimination task (go/no-go) using a specific wine variety (Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc from different winemakers) as the S + . Rats were then tested using novel wines of the same varieties in unrewarded probe trials to assess their abilities to correctly assign instances of wine to specific categories. Interestingly, all nine rats successfully learned to discriminate the two varieties, and most rats generalized within two test trials to novel wines of the same varieties. We explore the implications of our results for olfactory concept formation and categorization more generally.

Exploring the restorative benefits of Kuang-Ao features in urban slow-moving greenways based on the healthy city concept

ABSTRACT In the post-pandemic era, people’s demand for health is intense, and slow-moving greenways have become a preferred choice for daily recreation and physical and mental healing under the healthy city concept. Based on the theories of Kuang-Ao and restorative environments, this study integrates questionnaires, galvanic skin response, and eye-tracking methodologies for physical and mental evaluations. ErgoLAB and Excel were utilized for preprocessing data on emotional pleasure, galvanic skin response change rate, perceptual dimension, and average pupil diameter. SPSS 27.0 was employed to conduct difference and correlation analyses, exploring the relationship between Kuang-Ao features of slow-moving greenways and recreationists’ restorative perceptions. The results indicate that both the Kuang-Ao unitary features, assessed by the Kuang-Ao level, and the Kuang-Ao sequence features, assessed by the trend of Kuang-Ao changes, have significant impacts on restorative benefits. Additionally, the degree and amplitude of Kuang-Ao changes also significantly affect emotional and functional improvement, perceptual restoration, and energy restoration. According to these findings, three types of Kuang-Ao units for slow-moving greenways are proposed, which offer references for spatial design and sequence organization in slow-moving greenway planning and design to maximize the benefits of restorative perception of greenways and promote the construction of urban healthy recreation systems.

The Influence of Multisensory Perception on Student Outdoor Comfort in University Campus Design

The user’s experience is critical in spatial design, particularly in outdoor spaces like university campuses, where the physical environment significantly influences students’ relaxation and stress relief. This study investigates the combined impact of thermal, luminous, and auditory environments on students’ perceptions within recreational areas at Bordj Bou Arreridj University Campus. A mixed-method approach combined field surveys and on-site measurements across eleven locations within three distinct spatial configurations. The findings from this study indicate that the auditory environment had the most substantial influence on overall perceptions, surpassing luminous and thermal factors. The open courtyard (Area 1) was perceived as less comfortable due to excessive heat and noise exposure. The shaded zone (Area 2) was identified as the most vulnerable, experiencing significant thermal stress and noise disturbances. In contrast, the secluded patio (Area 3) achieved the highest comfort rating and was perceived as the most cheerful and suitable space. Correlation analysis revealed significant interrelationships between physical and perceptual dimensions, highlighting the critical role of factors such as wind velocity, sky view factor, and illuminance in shaping thermal, luminous, and acoustic perceptions. A fuzzy logic model was developed to predict user perceptions of comfort, suitability, and mood based on measured environmental parameters to address the complexity of multisensory interactions. This study highlights the importance of integrating multisensory evaluations into spatial design to optimize the quality of outdoor environments.

Multidimensional Visual Preferences and Sustainable Management of Heritage Canal Waterfront Landscape Based on Panoramic Image Interpretation

As an important type of linear cultural heritage and a waterfront landscape that integrates both artificial and natural elements, heritage canals provide the public with a multidimensional perceptual experience encompassing aesthetics, culture, and nature. There remains a lack of refined, micro-level studies on heritage canal landscapes from a multidimensional perspective of visual preference. This study focuses on a typical segment of the Grand Canal in China, specifically the ancient canal section in Yangzhou. We employed SegFormer image semantic segmentation techniques to interpret features from 150 panoramic images, quantitatively identifying the waterfront environmental characteristics of the heritage canal. Four perceptual dimensions were constructed: aesthetic preference, cultural preference, natural preference, and hydrophilic preference. Through a questionnaire survey and various statistical analyses, we revealed the relationships between visual preferences for the waterfront landscape of heritage canals and environmental characteristics. The main findings of the study include the following: (1) Aesthetic preference is positively correlated with cultural, natural, and hydrophilic preferences, while natural preference shows a negative correlation with cultural and hydrophilic preferences. (2) Aesthetic preference is influenced by a combination of blue-green natural elements and artificial factors. Natural preference is primarily affected by increased vegetation visibility, cultural preference is associated with a higher proportion of cultural facilities and high-quality pavements, and hydrophilic preference is linked to larger water surface areas, fewer barriers, and better water quality. (3) There are spatial differences in canal waterfront landscape preferences across different urban areas, with the old city exhibiting higher aesthetic, cultural, and hydrophilic preferences than the new city and suburban areas. Finally, this study proposes strategies for optimising and enhancing the quality of waterfront landscapes of heritage canals, aiming to provide sustainable practical guidance for the future planning and management of these heritage sites.

Analysing the role of the perceptual dimension in the formation of the urban third place

Urban third places like parks, plazas, and cafes play a significant role in fostering social interaction, community engagement, and a sense of belonging in contemporary society, and this recognition is growing. It has been a subject of critical analysis across multiple disciplines and intellectual traditions. Although the term 'Third Place' has been the subject of considerable research for some time, a sensible investigation into the psychological needs of users broadens the study's scope, adding a new dimension to the research. This study's perceptual dimension focuses particularly on an individual's perceptions of the built environment of the urban third place. It deals with how people perceive and experience these places. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the contribution of the perceptions that users generate in the formation of urban third places. Research begins with an understanding of this term and its significance in an urban environment. The theoretical approach interprets a perceptual dimension by analysing an individual's 'Sense of Place' in relation to the urban third place. A projective survey questionnaire further explores the concept. We decipher the qualitative observations of the survey using Nvivo, a software tool that supports both descriptive and inferential statistical inferences. The consideration of age versus the diverse perceptual needs of the users explains the interrelationship while making it convenient for the statistical analysis of the study's observations. As a result, this research examines the significance of associations, identifies dominant perceptions, and analyses the possible patterns of the same across the identified age groups of the sample population. A statistical analysis of these observations offers insights to designers, planners, and policymakers in terms of prioritising users' experiences, needs, and preferences, i.e., sense of place, to accommodate the contemporary needs of the users in the practice of urban design at the human scale.

Research on “Identification–Cognition–Perception” of the Pedestrian Spaces Around Subway Stations near Popular Tourist Attractions from the Tourists’ Perspective: A Case Study of Tianjin

Public transportation serving urban tourism has a positive impact on sustainable urban development. With the rapid rise of “subway tourism” in China and the emergence of numerous popular attractions, the pedestrian spaces connecting subway stations and attractions are important public spaces for tourists’ perception. Identifying, cognizing, and perceiving the pedestrian spaces around subway stations near popular tourist attractions from the tourists’ perspective holds significant value for promoting station–city coordination and enhancing spatial quality. This paper establishes an optimization design framework for the pedestrian spaces around subway stations near urban popular tourist attractions, moving from identification to cognition and perception. Taking Tianjin, China as an example, we collected 11,405 travelogue data entries and street network data of the subway stations around popular attractions. (1) We constructed an LDA topic model to identify popular tourist attractions; (2) we applied space syntax to understand the features and forms of the pedestrian spaces around subway stations; (3) we utilized the ROST-CM network text analysis method to analyze tourists’ overall perception of the pedestrian spaces around subway stations; (4) we proposed suggestions for optimization. The contribution of this study lies in constructing a vertical analytical framework that transitions from “identification” to “cognition” to “perception”. The cognitive and perceptual dimensions can mutually corroborate some of their findings but are not interchangeable. Future urban spatial optimization research should consider both cognitive and perceptual dimensions, enhancing the comprehensiveness of the human-centered perspective. The research results provide empirical references and guidance for the management and practice of urban space renewal around subway stations near major cities’ tourist attractions.

Incidental Nonspeech Auditory Learning Scaffolds Phonetic, Category, and Word Learning in a Foreign Language Classroom

AbstractThere is considerable lab‐based evidence for successful incidental learning, in which a learner's attention is directed away from the to‐be‐learned stimulus and towards another stimulus. In this study, we extend incidental learning research into the language learning classroom. Three groups of adult second language (L2) learners (N = 52) engaged in structured classroom Mandarin learning took part in an 8‐week study. One group served as a classroom‐only control group. The second group underwent additional intentional auditory training involving Mandarin speech and explicit feedback. The third group underwent additional incidental learning combined with nonspeech “perceptual building block” categories—categories that share critical perceptual dimensions with target L2 speech categories but that are not perceived as speech. We demonstrate that when supplemented with structured classroom learning, incidental learning involving nonspeech analogs promotes phonetic, category, and word learning equivalent to learning from more traditional intentional auditory training.

Preschoolers Represent Abstract Relations Predicated on Kind Membership.

Recent work demonstrates that U.S. preschoolers can represent the abstract relational concepts same and different when these abstract relational concepts are predicated upon perceptual dimensions (e.g., size, shape, color). The current research investigates whether preschoolers (n = 192; predominantly White, upper middle class, U.S. convenience sample) can also represent the abstract relational concepts same and different when these abstract relational concepts are predicated upon abstract dimensions (e.g., kind membership). Experiment 1 shows that, at baseline, 4-year-olds fail at a relational match-to-sample (rMTS) task with familiar kinds. However, Experiment 2 shows that 4- and 5-year-olds, but not 3-year-olds, succeed at a rMTS task with familiar kinds when provided with training involving noun labels. Experiment 3 shows that 4- and 5-year-olds also succeed at a rMTS task with novel kinds when provided with training involving noun labels but not adjective labels, suggesting that noun labels but not adjective labels cue children's attention towards kind membership. Moreover, participants frequently provided explanations appealing to sameness and difference when justifying their responses. Taken together, these results suggest that, with training, preschoolers are capable of representing abstract relations predicated on abstract, as well as perceptual, dimensions.

The influence of perceived landscape value on tourists' behavioral intentions in historical and cultural blocks.

Historic cultural blocks are areas where a city's material cultural heritage and humanistic characteristics converge, showcasing the city's unique features and preserving rich and complete urban memories. Research on historic blocks primarily involves strategies related to protection, renewal, planning, and enhancement. However, there is a paucity of studies that explore the relationship between landscape value perception and tourist behavioral intentions from the perspective of recreation participants during the development and renewal of historic cultural blocks. This study uses the Zhongshan Road and Sifang Road historic cultural blocks in Qingdao as a case example. By collecting multi-source data such as online texts, tourist questionnaires, and interviews, and employing qualitative analysis and structural equation modeling as quantitative analysis methods, the study reveals the structural relationship between landscape value perception, place identity, and tourist behavioral intentions: (1) Landscape value perception has a significant positive effect on tourist behavioral intentions; (2) Landscape value perception has a significant positive effect on place identity; (3) Place identity, as a mediating variable, does not mediate the relationship between ecological landscape value perception and skill education value perception, but partially mediates the relationship between historical cultural value perception and recreational value perception. Based on the research results, feedback on the development effectiveness of historic cultural blocks from the perspective of recreation participants can be visually obtained. This helps identify the pain points in the renewal and development process, pinpoint the perceptual dimensions of landscape value that need improvement, and effectively enhance the multiple dimensions of landscape value perception in the blocks. This, in turn, activates the tourism vitality of historic cultural blocks and forms a virtuous cycle model for their development.

Multi-dimensional perceptual recognition of tourist destination using deep learning model and geographic information system.

Perceptual recognition of tourist destinations is vital in representing the destination image, supporting destination management decision-making, and promoting tourism recommendations. However, previous studies on tourist destination perception have limitations regarding accuracy and completeness related to research methods. This study addresses these limitations by proposing an efficient strategy to achieve precise perceptual recognition of tourist destinations while ensuring the integrity of user-generated content (UGC) data and the completeness of perception dimensions. We integrated various types of UGC data, including images, texts, and spatiotemporal information, to create a comprehensive UGC dataset. Then, we adopted the improved Inception V3 model, the bidirectional long short-term memory network (BiLSTM) model with multi-head attention, and geographic information system (GIS) technology to recognize basic tourist feature information from the UGC dataset, such as the content, sentiment, and spatiotemporal perceptual dimensions of the data, achieving a recognition accuracy of over 97%. Finally, a progressive dimension combination method was proposed to visualize and analyze multiple perceptions. An experimental case study demonstrated the strategy's effectiveness, focusing on tourists' perceptions of Datong, China. Experimental results show that the approach is feasible for studying tourist destination perception. Content perception, sentiment perception, and the perception of Datong's spatial and temporal characteristics were recognized and analyzed efficiently. This study offers valuable guidance and a reference framework for selecting methods and technical routes in tourist destination perception.

Exploring the Relationship Between Visual Perception of the Urban Riverfront Core Landscape Area and the Vitality of Riverfront Road: A Case Study of Guangzhou

The vitality of riverfront districts, as a crucial component of urban livability, is profoundly influenced by human visual perception of the surrounding environment. This study takes the Pearl River in Guangzhou as an example and explores the relationship between the visual perception of the urban riverfront core landscape area and the vitality of Riverfront Road. Employing subjective environment perception prediction methods and analyzing the riverfront landscape pictures captured by the research team, we quantified six essential perceptual dimensions. Furthermore, we evaluated the vitality of Riverfront Road through a four-step process: 1. measuring key visual indices of Riverfront Road, including the green view index (GVI), water view index (WVI), sky view index (SVI), and building view index (BVI); 2. evaluating the proximity of cultural landmarks to Riverfront Road; 3. calculating the convenience of driving, buses, and subways for Riverfront Road with the network analysis method; 4. deriving the vitality value of Riverfront Road through the combination of hotspot data from Baidu. With the application of random forest and result comparisons, we obtained a comprehensive analysis of the correlation between visual perception of the urban riverfront core landscape area and the vitality of Riverfront Road. The results reveal the significant correlation between these two factors and highlight that visual perception of the old city landscape area is superior to that of the new city, although the cultural landmarks and transportation convenience play essential roles in the improvement of vitality in Riverfront Road. It is evident that relying solely on visual design may fail to prominently boost vitality. Overall, spatial design should adopt a multidimensional approach, integrating various factors such as transportation convenience, social interaction venues, cultural activities, etc., to create a cohesive vitality network.

Recognising Tactual Aspects of the Urban Environment Through Walking—A Critical Discussion of Touch-, Tactile-, and Haptic-Based Sensewalk Methodologies

Tactile aspects of the urban environment may be recognised through various capacities of human sensation, including cutaneous, kinaesthetic, and proprioceptive awareness. Haptic attributes often need intentional engagement for ultimate experience and information provision, but it is exactly this imprecision that initiates challenges when dealing with tactility in a space. Whilst tactile components can be experienced when stationary or through walking an identified space (a sensewalk), there is no standard method for tactile sensewalk implementation. We therefore critically discuss common methodologies, outlining benefits, disadvantages, and suitability for each identified sensewalk method. We find that immersive sensory enquiry approaches are well suited to reveal past experience of sensory perceptions, deeper understandings and rediscovery of places; the recording of dimensional measurements is appropriate when determining linkages and correlations between physical and perceptual dimensions; and interviews and post-data collection reflections provide an opportunity to explore sensory characteristics and experience, and for realisation of local heritages. Furthermore, unusual methods such as the visualisation of urban textures and multimodal post-processing techniques are identified and discussed.

The tacit dimension and behavioural public policy: insights from Hayek and Polanyi

Abstract In this paper, we revisit the Knowledge Problem addressed by Hayek eight decades ago and emphasised more recently by Rizzo and Whitman in their critique of the new paternalist approach of mainstream behavioural economics promoted by Sunstein and Thaler. We do this in light of the work of Michael Polanyi. Polanyi developed a theory of knowledge which has some commonalities with Hayek’s but also departs from it by emphasising the tacit, personal and perceptual dimensions of any process of knowing, thus radically renouncing any attempt of a knowledge typology separating different types of tacit knowledge (TK) and even denying that general knowledge could exist independently of TK.

Office soundscape assessment: A model of acoustic environment perception in open-plan officesa).

The soundscape approach has been utilised in recent research for residential environments, but applications to indoor working environments remain limited. This study investigated the suitability of affective quality evaluations of open-plan office acoustics. Perceptual assessments were completed by occupants of eight open-plan office floorplates, using affective dimensions outlined in PD ISO/TS 12913-3:2019 and indoor soundscape studies. Participant demographic, contextual, work-related quality, and psychological well-being data were collected. Workstation noise levels were measured following BS ISO 22955:2021. Principal component analysis identified Pleasantness, Eventfulness, and Emptiness as the main perceptual dimensions, cumulatively explaining 56% of the total variance. Results indicate the suitability of the PD ISO/TS 12913-3:2019 two-dimensional model for open-plan offices. The perceived presence of human sounds negatively correlated with ISO Pleasantness yet positively correlated with ISO Eventfulness. Participant gender and aural diversity mediated ISO Pleasantness. Psychological well-being and work-related quality correlated positively with soundscape pleasantness. No correlations were found between level-based acoustical indicators-equivalent continuous sound level (LAeq), level exceeded 10% (LA10) and 90% (LA90) of the time, level variability (LA10-LA90) and Liveliness-and perceptual scores. A conceptual representation of open-plan office soundscape perception is presented, offering a framework for evaluating and designing workspaces to enhance well-being.

Ontology and Structure in Merleau-Ponty: The Ontological Sense of Structure in The Structure of Behavior

Abstract This paper has two main goals: first, to circumscribe the topic in Merleau-Ponty’s work, focusing especially on his first book, and second, to delimit the question in The Structure of Behavior itself, focusing especially on his description of the perceptual dimension of structure.

Integrating Virtual Reality and Colour Psychology in the Design of Small Liveable Spaces

Virtual reality (VR) technology has quickly advanced, providing new ways for immersive and interactive experiences. This research aims to integrate colour theories into the practical application of Vanspace 3D software. The study investigates the perceptual dimensions of colour schemes, lighting, and their collective impact on spatial perception within confined living spaces. Through a step-by-step equipping and furnishing process, the software's versatility is demonstrated, accommodating various design elements, from solar panels to custom furniture. Monochromatic and analogous schemes align with nature-inspired living, while triadic schemes emphasise balance. Complementary and tetradic schemes showcase harmonious and rich designs, and warm and cold colour schemes present contrasting atmospheres, highlighting design adaptability. Exploration of contrast, saturation, and lighting underscores their influence on aesthetics and functionality. Findings suggest that colour choices significantly impact perceived size and ambience, offering recommendations for creating spacious illusions in confined spaces.

Residents’ perceptions of tourism development in the context of a new governance framework for Portuguese protected areas: The case of a small peripheral natural park

Residents’ perceptions of tourism development in the context of a new governance framework for Portuguese protected areas: The case of a small peripheral natural park

Consumer privacy decision-making in digital era: an integrative review and taxonomy

PurposeIn the digital age, personalized services and accurate recommendations enhance the customer experience and streamline shopping. However, increasing concerns about personal privacy have led to resistance from consumers, necessitating a balance between providing high-quality online services and safeguarding personal data. The aim of this paper is to offer a comprehensive review of the fragmented literature on consumer privacy decision-making and to identify key issues worth exploring in future research.Design/methodology/approachAlthough previous studies have analyzed the antecedents and outcomes of privacy decisions, they have often been conducted in a fragmented manner. There remains a lack of a holistic understanding of the factors influencing privacy decisions, including their boundaries. Therefore, we build on the Theory of Planned Behavior to combine consumer privacy decision-making with a graphically conceptual framework used in a similar scoping methodology. We attempt to dissect the antecedent, moderator and outcome variables that influence consumer privacy decision-making, ultimately providing a comprehensive framework for understanding these dynamics.FindingsBased on the Theory of Planned Behavior, we analyze the entire process of consumer privacy decision-making in terms of antecedent, moderating and outcome variables. The results indicate that consumer privacy decision-making is not an isolated behavior or a single choice but a complex, multi-level dynamic process. The factors influencing consumer privacy decisions primarily encompass five aspects: individual characteristics, information, organization, platform and interaction management, leading to various outcomes in both behavioral and perceptual dimensions. Furthermore, the process is constrained by multiple moderating variables, such as information sensitivity, platform knowledge and prior experience.Originality/valueWe build on the Theory of Planned Behavior to combine consumer privacy decision-making with a graphically conceptual framework used in a similar scoping methodology. We dissect the antecedent, moderator and outcome variables that influence consumer privacy decision-making, aiming to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding these processes.