- Title
- Understanding the influence of nature imagery in user interface design on user perception and behaviour in an e-commerce context
- Creator
- Rendell, Ashlea E.
- Relation
- University of Newcastle Research Higher Degree Thesis
- Resource Type
- thesis
- Date
- 2021
- Description
- Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Description
- Technology and digital user interfaces (UIs) have made shopping online easier than ever. However, psychology literature indicates that the information processing demands required to effectively interact with technology occasionally exceed our cognitive capacity and cause impairments to our executive functioning. Evidence of this can range from lapses in working memory, to inattention, to impatience and increased risk-taking behaviours, each of which have consequences for the e-commerce user experience. To combat this, Information Systems (IS) researchers and practitioners are investigating novel ways to design engaging and effective UIs. Incorporating attractive background imagery, such as picturesque nature images, is one such attempt. This thesis draws on Environmental Psychology literature on Biophilia (i.e. nature-loving) responses to investigate the potential influence of nature imagery on user perception and behaviour in an e-commerce context. To begin, we review experimental literature on the topic of Biophilia to synthesise an integrated theoretical framework on the influence of nature imagery on user perception and behaviour incorporating Stress Reduction Theory, Attention Restoration Theory, and alternative landscape aesthetics based theories. Following this we report on an approach to selecting imagery that systematically varies according to the nature content depicted. Specifically, we look at the water, vegetation, and vantage (visual depth) content of nature images. Next, we report an online experiment with 408 participants testing the influence of these nature image backgrounds on user perceptions of trust and visual aesthetics in an e-commerce setting. We also report on a qualitative study on the expertise of three stakeholders in the design and consumption of e-commerce UIs: nature experts, design experts, and end users. Using the knowledge drawn from these experts we validate and extend our integrated theoretical framework on the influence of nature imagery on user perception and behaviour. Overall, this thesis demonstrates that nature imagery rich in evolutionarily important content, such as water and vegetation, may have a positive influence on user perceptions of trust and visual aesthetics within e-commerce settings. It is hoped this thesis offers a starting point for future IS research on the use of nature imagery in UI designs.
- Subject
- nature imagery; perceived aesthetics; perceived trust; user interface design
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1436885
- Identifier
- uon:40167
- Rights
- Copyright 2021 Ashlea E. Rendell
- Language
- eng
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| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT01 | Thesis | 13 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download | ||
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT02 | Abstract | 1 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |