Speaker
Description
Soundscape research has broadened the understanding of environmental sound beyond a primary focus on negative effects, emphasising a wider range of perceptual qualities. These perceptual qualities are commonly operationalised through dimensions such as pleasantness and eventfulness, in line with ISO 12913.However, soundscape evaluations are often treated as momentary entities, whereas real-world experiences are dynamic and affected by prior exposures. In urban landscape design, it has been suggested that contrast between environments may influence perception, such that exposure to loud or demanding sound environments could enhance the perceived quality of subsequent tranquil settings. Yet, only limited empirical work has examined sequential relationships between different soundscapes. The present study investigates the role of contrast in soundscape perception using a between-subject experimental design (n = 66) in an ambisonics laboratory. Participants were exposed to an urban soundscape followed by a tranquil natural soundscape, with initial urban sound levels differing between groups (50 dBA vs 70 dBA). Perceptual responses were assessed using SSID-based self-reports aligned with ISO constructs, alongside physiological measures (heart rate, respiration, skin conductance, and heart rate variability). We hypothesise that higher initial noise exposure will enhance subjective evaluations of the subsequent natural environment and be associated with greater parasympathetic activation during recovery. Preliminary findings will be discussed in relation to environmental planning and soundscape design.