"Real estate with ocean views, stunning mountain vistas, and wide-open green spaces sell at premium prices because humans find those settings pleasing [1-5]. Certain color combinations in fashion-such as brown and forest green-blend harmoniously, while others, such as hot pink and orange, clash. And our eyes like certain proportions in visual objects (like buildings and human faces) but not others."
"Let's start with an easy one: toxic substances, such as those in rotting meat, tainted water, or feces. Although our noses are the primary defenders against such threats, our eyes also play a role. Rotting meat, moldy bread, and dirty water usually have a distinct, "ugly" look. According to ecological valence theory [6, 7], we generally prefer colors, such as green, that are associated with non-toxic substances and dislike those, such as brown, that are associated with objectionable substances."
Human visual preferences for scenery, faces, complexity, and colors originate in evolutionary survival needs. Expansive vistas provide early detection of predators and thus became desirable. Color preferences align with ecological valence: hues associated with non-toxic, resource-rich environments (like greens and sky blues) attract humans, while colors linked to rot or contamination repel. Facial and proportional preferences reflect signals of health and reproductive fitness. These evolved visual biases shape everyday choices, influencing mate selection, fashion harmonies, and economic valuations such as higher real estate prices for ocean, mountain, and wide-open views.
Read at Psychology Today
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