Objective Measures of Emotion During Virtual Walks through Urban Environments
Author(s): Amir H. Elamin¹, Fatima S. Mahmoud², and Khalid A. Osman³
Affiliation: �Department of Civil Engineering, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan �Department of Electrical Engineering, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan �Department of Computer Science, Nile Valley University, Atbara, Sudan
Page No: 1-7-
Volume issue & Publishing Year: Volume 2 Issue 1,Jan-2025
Journal: International Journal of Modern Engineering and Management | IJMEM
ISSN NO: 3048-8230
DOI:
Abstract:
Previous research has demonstrated variations in affective responses to environments through subjective verbal reports. This study employed objective measures to explore emotional responses. Participants virtually walked through six distinct areas of urban Paris using Google Maps' Street View tool, with areas chosen based on their median real estate prices—information concealed from the participants. Emotional responses were assessed via startle reflex modulation, heart rate, and skin conductance. Results showed a strong correlation between real estate prices and subjective pleasantness ratings. Startle reflex amplitudes differed significantly between the areas with the lowest and highest median real estate prices, while heart rate and skin conductance did not vary across conditions. These findings suggest that environmental interactions evoke measurable emotional responses, engaging motivational and emotional brain circuits. This aligns with the evolutionary theory of environmental preference. The implications are discussed within the context of environmental psychology and aesthetics.
Keywords:
Startle Reflex Modulation; Urban Environments; Emotion And Motivation; Affective Appraisal; Environmental Preference
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