New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts

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Human perception of water appearance
2. Colour judgment, and the influence of perceptual set on perceived water suitability for use

DAVID G. SMITH
GLENYS F. CROKER

National Institute of Water & Atmospheric
Research Ltd
P. O. Box 11-115
Hamilton, New Zealand

KAY McFARLANE

National Institute of Water & Atmospheric
Research Ltd
P. O. Box 6414
Dunedin, New Zealand

Abstract  In a study of human perception of the appearance (clarity and colour) of rivers and lakes for bathing and aesthetic water use, we have shown that: bankside observers can reasonably accurately assess colour (hue) in some circumstances; and that the phenomenon of perceptual set (seeing what is expected to be seen) may influence the visual perception of some waters. Further, perceived naturalness of a water seems to provide for a more positive response towards a water body than might otherwise be expected.

Keywords  water quality; recreation; colour; management

New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 1995: Vol. 29: 45-50

0028-8330/95/2901-0045 $2.50/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand 1995

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (536K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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