Comparative Study of Psychophysical and Expert Models of Naturally Based Landscapes

Abstract

Intriguing landscapes ignite the preferential consciousness of man for its assessment. Theories of landscape aesthetics has since been under scientific scrutiny with focus on what determines landscape preference. Among these are the Psychophysical and expert based models. The former highly accepted among the researchers in the studies of landscape preference relied on public participation while the latter which is found to dominate the environmental management practice required trained professionals. Both paradigms recognise the biophysical features of a landscape as attributes for assessment. The paper therefore presents practical considerations in adopting and applying these paradigms, especially in terms of theoretical background, criteria for testing and measurement and the strengths and weaknesses of these schools of thoughts. This is found imperative for researchers to understand before consideration of suitable landscape approach in landscape studies.

Keywords: Psychophysical, Expert, comparative Naturally Beauty Landscape.