Money in your palm: Sharp shaped vegetation in the surroundings increase the subjective value of houses

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Preference for round over sharp shaped objects, is attributed to the potential damage of sharpness. We tested if leaf sharpness of vegetation surrounding a house, affects the evaluation of the house and its owner. We demonstrated that houses surrounded by sharp leaf vegetation (SLV) were evaluated as more expensive than houses surrounded by round leaf vegetation (RLV). Among the SLV surrounded houses, those surrounded only by palms were rated highest while SLV houses were evaluated as safer. In a final experiment, the perceptions of individual leaves differing in shape, were consistent with the protective function of sharp leaves. Our findings are explained by theorizing that SLV confer protective value on neighboring houses. The perceived higher values and safety of houses surrounded by palms is attributed to the association of palms with suitable and stable living environments. Furthermore, preference for palm habitats may have deep roots of human evolution in African savannas.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)176-187
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Environmental Psychology
Volume46
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jun 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd.

Keywords

  • Indicators of suitable habitats
  • Leaf shape
  • Palms
  • Perceived safety
  • Subjective value of houses
  • Surrounding vegetation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Applied Psychology

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