Thomas Tran
advised by
Dr. Gordon Bradley
The Relationship of Nature Experiences on Landscape Preference
Introduction
Results
As our global distribution of various landscapes
continue to change at a rapid pace toward human-built
environments, understanding why humans prefer
certain landscapes could be beneficial to how we alter
or conserve our landscapes. The overarching aim of my
study tries to understand how one’s background
experiences with nature effects their landscape
preference. This study allowed me to intersect my longtime passion for photography with my academic
background. I utilized images covering six different
landscape types, including questions pertaining to
one’s background experiences with nature, in a survey.
Mountainous
Water
Rural
Arid
Urban
Suburban
Most
Preferred
#1
#2
#3 (tie)
#3 (tie)
#5
#6
Overall
Ratings
1579 points
(3.21 avg.)
1558 points
(3.17 avg.)
1345 points
(2.73 avg.)
1344 points
(2.73 avg.)
1284 points
(2.61 avg.)
984 points
(2 avg.)





Methods
Using a combination of images and short answer
questions – I created a survey using Google Forms,
focusing on six different landscape types –
Mountainous, Arid, Water, Rural, Suburban and Urban.
These landscapes allowed for an even distribution
between natural and human-influenced landscapes. The
human influenced landscapes fall into a gradient from
the least human altered (Rural) to the most (Urban).
The background experiences focus on participants’
landscape during childhood, environmental group
involvement, parent inclusion with nature, and first
experience with nature.
Data Analysis

Findings
Quantitative: Multiple Linear Regression Models
•
•
Six different multiple linear regression models using R to
draw correlations between the dependent variables
(landscape ratings) and independent variables
(background experience with nature). The average was
derived from dividing the overall ratings of each
landscape over a possible total of 2460 points and then
multiplied by 5 points to retain the rating scale of 1-5.
Survey
Parent
Inclusion
with Higher Ratings
Nature
(n=123)
1. Rate 26 images based on your visual preference on
a 1-5 scale, 1 being the least preferred.
2. Short answer questions on background experiences
with nature.
3. If you were to immerse yourself into one landscape
type for one week, which would it be and why?
•
•
•
As participant preference moved along the human-influenced gradient,
from Rural to Urban, they were inclined to progressively give Water
landscapes lower ratings
Participants that experienced parent inclusion with nature rated
Mountainous landscapes much higher
Preference for Urban landscapes rated Mountainous landscapes lower
than those that preferred other landscape types
Arid landscapes were inclined to be rated lower by those that preferred
any other landscapes than Arid
Overall, there was a divide between natural and human-influenced
landscapes
Qualitative: Short Answer Responses
•
•
Given that a person’s first experience with nature was a recreational
activity, they would most likely select the landscape type that surrounded
their activity (ie. Snow sports were linked to favoring Mountainous
landscapes)
Those that wanted to explore, “find peace”, and be active preferred
natural landscapes and Suburban landscapes for “comfort”
Discussion
•
•
•
•
•
•
The Rural landscape model was
insignificant, but the participation in an
environmental group seemed to have a
correlation to higher Rural ratings
No statistical inferences could be made for
correlations to participants’ landscape
during childhood, due to insignificant pvalues
A larger sample size would most likely draw
stronger statistical significance for
correlations to independent variables of
background experiences with nature
The Suburban landscape model was
insignificant, most likely due to the sample
size
Composition of images holding the horizon
consistent and following the rule of thirds
may have attracted more accurate ratings
Quantifying qualitative data into levels may
yield more insightful findings