Subjective assessments of outlooks from the home vary greatly. This variation may partly result from genuine differences of opinion, but it is exaggerated by the lack of a common frame of reference against which subjects can make their assessments. This report describes the development of a frame of reference, the outlook scale. Two hundred residents in reading and leicester assessed more than one hundred photographs of views from homes. Eleven views, the assessments of which showed above average consensus were selected to comprise the outlook scale. Further to the major purpose of the study, the proportions of different elements comprising the views were compared with the residents' assessments, which correlated well with 'greenery'. The outlook scale is shown in the report, and a technique for its application is outlined and discussed. (Author/publisher)
Abstract