The physical factor structure of random forms and their judged complexity1

Abstract

This study relates the perceived complexity of 2fl random forms to their physical factor structure. Ten principal axes, accounting for 94 per cent of the total variance of 24 physical measures, were rotated using the Varimax criterion. Factor scores for each form were correlated with the complexity ratings of the forms by each of 11 Ss. A single factor accounted for most of the variance in the complexity ratings. This factor was best described by four physical measures: the number of turns in the form, the length of the perimeter, the perimeter squared to area ratio, and the variance of the internal angles of the form. © 1966 Psychonomic Society, Inc.