%D 2014
%L theses_frw370
%T The shape of landscape: An experimental approach to the perception and social construction of landscape
%X Landscape is, according to theories of social construction, given meaning by the people who perceive it. How they perceive landscape greatly differs due to origin and profession. Origin differentiates between home and foreign landscapes, while profession can change perception by the so-called second landscape socialisation. This theory is tested by the experimental method of mental maps: Students had to draw their first association with landscape. Since landscape is not a fixed location, qualitative analyses necessitated. Results suggest that the second landscape socialisation can occur prior to profession, i.e. during education. Origin's influence was more difficult to explain. Respondents drew either familiarly local or exotic landscapes, though why remains speculative. For all results new hypotheses are stated for further research; Especially the meagre role of the sky in landscape caught my attention.
%A R. Hokwerda