Application of Contrast Effect in Raising the Pleasantness of Living Spaces

Abstract

This article examines the hypothesis that pleasantness of specific spaces is raised when adjacent spaces are less pleasant. In Experiment 1, participants were presented with photomontages of room interiors, each with a large window through which the outdoors could be seen. The subjects, randomly divided into three groups, separately rated the rooms with different exterior grounds, namely, concrete, gravel, or grass. Results showed that several rooms with concrete ground outdoors, which were the least pleasant, were significantly rated as most pleasant;those with grass outdoors, which were the most pleasant were judged as least pleasant. Hence clear the contrast effects were observed. In Experiment 2, the subjects, randomly divided into three groups, actually entered and rated alcoves adjacent to three different types of spaces one without carpet, one with a carpet, and the last with a carpet and sofa. Results indicated that the alcove adjacent to the space without carpet, which was the least pleasant, was rated as most pleasant. However, this result was not significant. The results are interpreted as being consistent with the contrast effect, and both the possibility of long lasting persistence of pleasantnessincreased by contrast and the universality of the effect are discussed.