Evolutionary Influence on Human Landscape Preference

What the study found

People living in Nigeria's rainforest belt, shown photographs of rain forest, deciduous forest, coniferous forest, savanna and desert, overwhelmingly chose savanna scenes as the most desirable place to live. The authors read this, with earlier American data, as support for an innate savanna preference modified by experience and culture.

Limitations

Photographs only; one non-Western sample; sample size not extracted. The innate explanation is the authors' interpretation.

Neurodesign interpretation

One of few non-Western tests of the savanna preference. Useful against the objection that it is purely Western taste, but thin on its own.

Possible design implications

None direct; bears on whether landscape preferences are culturally specific.

Study design

Preference survey using photographs of five biomes

Population

Residents of the rainforest belt of Nigeria. Sample: not extracted.

Setting

Photograph ratings, Nigeria

Field

Environmental preference

Mechanism

Savanna hypothesis, landscape preference

Spatial variable

View content (biome type)

Keywords

savanna hypothesis, landscape preference, cross-cultural, Nigeria, evolution

Notes and follow-up

Related records: ND-0155, ND-0058. Published online 2009; print issue 2010.