Affective response to photographs of natural landscapes based on OCEAN model

Abstract

The Attention Restoration Theory (Kaplan in J Environ Psychol 15:169– 182, 1995 [2]) and the psychological stress reduction theory (Ulrich et al. in J Environ Psychol 11:201–230, 1991 [3]) show that natural landscapes generally stimulate positive emotions. However, Gray’s biopsychological theory of personality suggested different personalities process environmental stimuli differently, leading to varying levels of or completely different emotions. Thus, current emotion tags to landscapes are likely inaccurate, as they lack the consideration of personality type. This study investigates the relationship between the emotions experienced and personality types. 50 participants aged 10–80 years were invited to watch a slideshow of landscapes. Subsequently, they were recorded reading a short passage. To assess participants’ emotions, the voice recordings were processed using PRAAT, a scientific software for analysis of phonetics in speech, and a modified version of the Profile of Mood States (POMS). The results provided the foundation to more accurate tagging programmes linking photographs of natural landscapes with emotions evoked in different personalities.