Christopher D. Ellis

Large-Scale Environmental Knowledge Investigating the Relationship Between Self-Reported and Objectively Measured Physical Environments

This article compares self-reported and objectively measured physical features in a large-scale environment. Environmental perception has been studied through object perception research but little is known about perception in full-scale environments. Also, few studies examine differences between self-reported and objective environments including the potential effects of distance and content. In this study, a questionnaire, satellite imagery, and geographic information system data were used. Results indicate that self-reported environments are different from objective environments. In addition, self-reported responses separate natural and built environments into two different dimensions. Water combines self-reported and objective measurements into a single dimension. Further analysis revealed that content (natural vs. built) and distance (300 ft vs. 1,500 ft) are important factors influencing the relationships between self-reported and objective environmental measurements. By better understanding relationships between self-reported and objective environments, landscape planners and designers can choose the most appropriate data type for analyzing specific planning and design decisions.