This project was designed to extend the principles of natural categorization to the classification of landscapes for visual quality assessment. In the first study, 20 lay people named and outlined distinct geographic units on USGS topographic maps. Six of the units identified were selected for further study on the basis of ratings of overall environmental quality, familiarity, and naturalness. Consensual names and boundaries of the units were determined. In the second study, the same 20 subjects rated 15 scenes from each of the 6 units for representativeness (typicality) and visual quality. The ratings of representativeness and visual quality were highly reliable, with coefficients ranging from.98 to.84. The correlations between representativeness and visual quality were variable. The correlations were positive for the two high environmental quality units (r =.78 and r =.83, p<.05). Representativeness and visual quality were positively related for one of the two moderate quality environments (r =.53, p<.05). In the two low quality environments, the correlations were non-significant, but for one of these units there was a negative trend (r = -.45), and this relationship was significantly different from the other five correlations. Overall, these results suggest that the principles of natural categorization are active in the conceptual analysis of environments, judgements of representativeness and visual quality are reliable, and judgements of representativeness and visual quality are not the same. Judgements of representativeness can be used in resource decision making to provide reliable information about what is characteristic of an environment and to determine how development proposals relate to the existing character of an area. In addition, the principles of natural categorization are used in connectionist models to explain how humans identify objects and develop concepts. The principles of natural categorization are active in environmental perception, but it remains to be seen whether the connectionist approach can provide adequate models of environmental perception. This research provides a method which can be used to study how environmental perception relates to natural categorization.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1985. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 108-115).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1980. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 266-275).

Thesis (M.L.A.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 62-66). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, 2000. / CD-ROM inside back cover contains 23 page summary of thesis, and a copy of the appendices Chapters 7-10 and references; Powerpoint file of the 160 landscape scenes; Powerpoint presentation of the methodology and findings of the survey of landscape quality of South Australia. Bibliography: p. 421-444. Also available online.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, 2000. / CD-ROM inside back cover contains 23 page summary of thesis, and a copy of the appendices Chapters 7-10 and references; Powerpoint file of the 160 landscape scenes; Powerpoint presentation of the methodology and findings of the survey of landscape quality of South Australia. Bibliography: p. 421-444.

Researchers' attempts to provide an objective, analytical basis for understanding observers perceptual preferences for landscapes is the basis of the field of landscape perception research. Within this field a series of paradigms have evolved around which the majority of research has been centered. One of these, the experiential paradigm focuses on the multi-sensory nature of mars relationship with the landscape. This study seeks to define a scope of dynamic variables effecting landscape perception and their impact on landscape preference.A study site in rural Indiana was selected and a loop trail was laid out to provide access to the site. Sixteen sites along the trail were defined as experiential test sites and were field marked and photographed. A test group was guided through the study area and was asked to give a preference rating for each site on a five point scale as well as in an open ended verbal response. Two weeks following the on site testing the same group was asked to provide preference ratings in the laboratory for slides of the same 16 sites experienced in the field.The resulting data was analyzed to determine to what extent dynamic variables were impacting preference for landscape experiences. Multisensory elements of the environment were found to have a direct impact on preference. This was reflected in both verbal and scaled preference data. In addition to this, experiential preference wwas also determined to be associated with the sequence in which experiences occurred. The linkage provided by transitional landscapes encountered as respondents progressed between test sites proved to be an important element of experiential preference. This 'clustering' effect was evident in the laboratory as well as in the field.T he results of this, research illustrate the importance of dynamic variables as essential components of landscape preference. This study further supports the use of verbal response formats as a method for determining the true scope of perceptual variables attributing to preference. In conjunction with this, the importance of transition landscapes and experiential sequencing identified in this research merits additional study in order to more precisely define the structure of the human / landscape interaction. / Department of Landscape Architecture

This research attempts to establish that landscapes can support and enhance a business identity program. Previous environmental perception research has investigated affective and cognitive responses to natural landscapes, but little, if any, research has explored the area of meaning in a business landscape. Consequently, this study develops a theoretical framework from which to demonstrate a business identity in the landscape. In an effort to structure a framework for both affective and cognitive meanings in business environments, this study draws on past environmental perception research that focuses on affective responses to molar environments. From out of this research design, affective and cognitive dimensions are identified that allow testing of business identities in the environment. Findings show that landscapes can support and enhance an overall business identity program. The study concludes with a discussion of future research that might further the benefits of landscapes to the business community.

Thesis (M.L. Arch.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1993. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-78). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1981. / Typescript. Vita. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.