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Unattractive locations can surprisingly increase the perceived value of nearby areas through a contrast effect. This study confirms this phenomenon and shows its impact can rival that of attractive locations like parks.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental psychology
  • Spatial cognition
  • Behavioral economics

Background:

  • Unattractive locations can enhance the perceived value of adjacent areas via contrast effects.
  • Previous research has limitations including potential inflation from repeated measures and lack of effect size comparisons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address limitations in contrast effect research.
  • To investigate the impact of unattractive locations on perceived value.
  • To compare the magnitude of contrast effects with positive location effects.

Main Methods:

  • Three experiments were conducted assessing location value at varying distances from an unattractive housing block.
  • Participant rating methods included both within-subjects and between-subjects designs.
  • The influence of the unattractive location was compared against the positive influence of a nearby park.

Main Results:

  • The contrast effect of unattractive locations on neighboring areas was replicated.
  • The findings generalized to a different experimental design.
  • The positive impact of an unattractive location's contrast effect was comparable to that of an attractive location (a park).

Conclusions:

  • Contrast effects from unattractive locations can significantly increase the perceived value of nearby areas.
  • The magnitude of this effect can be as substantial as that of genuinely attractive locations.
  • Methodological improvements in studying contrast effects are demonstrated.