Cultural and sub-cultural comparisons in preferences for natural settings

Abstract

Although studies of preferences for natural environments across cultures have tended to find rather high agreement, most studies have concentrated on correlational findings. Analyses of actual preference levels and of perceptual categories yield a more complete picture. Western Australian and American student preference ratings of scenes of the Western Australian landscape provided an opportunity to examine cross-cultural comparisons for both preference and perception. The inclusion of a third sample, however, makes evident even greater sub-cultural differences. A Western Australian group sharing an interest in flora and conservation showed distinctly different preference patterns to the Australian students. The study demonstrates the effect of different aspects of familiarity on environmental preference. Furthermore, preference ratings may serve as an effective participation tool to identify differences among interest groups.