Use of Photographs to Simulate Environments: A Meta-Analysis

What the study found

Across 11 papers that reported the required data, preferences obtained from photographs correlated 0.86 with preferences obtained on site, covering 152 environments and more than 2,400 respondents.

Limitations

Preference ratings at first encounter only; nothing about living in or using a space over time. Older literature, mixing natural and built scenes.

Neurodesign interpretation

Supports image-based preference research for first judgments. Keep it beside any claim that photographs misrepresent spaces: the gap, if there is one, would be in occupancy, which this did not measure.

Possible design implications

Photographs are a reasonable stand-in for on-site first impressions; they are not evidence about long occupancy.

Study design

Meta-analysis

Population

More than 2,400 respondents rating 152 environments across 11 papers.

Setting

Outdoor and built environments

Field

Environmental preference, research methods

Mechanism

Environmental preference

Spatial variable

Simulation medium (photograph versus on site)

Keywords

photographs, simulation, environmental preference, validity, meta-analysis

Notes and follow-up

Related records: ND-0059, ND-0153.