A study of preference for symmetry by paired comparisons

Abstract

For seven kinds of targets, nine stimuli with regular intervals of asymmetry were made for each target. Attractiveness of those stimuli was evaluated by participants. More attractive in a pair of stimuli was chosen and it was rated in a three-point scale or as equal. These results showed that the attractiveness was decreased according to the degree of asymmetry; no abrupt change was observed. This result suggests the categorical judgment is not used for the evaluation of attractiveness within a range of fluctuating asymmetry.