The effect of visual stimulation from wood on the body was examined in a comparative study using full-sized hinoki wall panels and a white steel wall panel. Continuous blood pressure measurements were used as the physiological indicator. Sensory evaluation by the semantic differential (SD) method and the profile of mood states (POMS) test were performed to determine changes in psychological impression. Results showed that visual stimulation from hinoki wall panels had an emotional and natural impression upon humans. Blood pressure decreased significantly in subjects who liked them, and there was no significant increase in blood pressure in subjects who disliked them. Visual stimulation from the white steel wall panel made an unhealthy and closed impression and increased the sense of depression. In addition, there was stress and a significant increase in blood pressure in subjects who disliked them. Consequently, visual stimulation from hinoki and white steel wall panels had different physiological and psychological effects. Results also showed that the same visual stimulation induced different physiological responses depending on the values of the individuals.
[1]
Y. Miyazaki,et al.
Time-series variations of blood pressure due to contact with wood
,
1998,
Journal of Wood Science.
[2]
Y. Miyazaki,et al.
The visual effects of wooden interiors in actual-size living rooms on the autonomic nervous activities.
,
2002,
Journal of physiological anthropology and applied human science.
[3]
Takuko Yanase,et al.
AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE RELATION BETWEEN WALL COLOURS AND VISUAL EFFECTS IN LIVING ROOMS
,
1983
.
[4]
C. Osgood,et al.
The Measurement of Meaning
,
1958
.
[5]
Minoru Masuda.
Influence of color and glossiness on image of wood.
,
1985
.