# Reassessing the curvature effect in tables and chairs

## TL;DR

This study investigates whether people prefer curved over angular tables and chairs, finding that while curvature affects attention, it doesn't strongly influence overall preference.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel comparison of curvature effects within the same object categories using eye-tracking and brief stimulus presentations.

## Key findings

- Curvature did not lead to a clear preference for tables or chairs.
- Curvilinear objects caused longer fixation durations compared to rectilinear ones.
- Preference judgments were influenced more by familiarity and functionality than curvature.

## Abstract

Several studies have consistently demonstrated that people generally prefer curved over angular contours. However, the magnitude of the curvature effect varies across stimuli, for example, with a larger effect reported for abstract stimuli compared to interior spaces. A comparison across stimuli that share similar physical features and belong to the same categories is warranted to determine whether curvature is a basis of object preference. Another important question is whether inspection differences, based on contour and object category, affect object preference. In Experiment 1, we addressed these questions by recording eye movements as participants rated their preferences for images of two types of common-use objects: tables and chairs. In Experiment 2, we limited the stimuli presentation to 84 ms, as brief presentations are thought to enhance the curvature effect. Neither of the two experiments confirmed a clear preference for curvature in tables or chairs. Yet, curvature significantly influenced fixation durations, with curvilinear tables eliciting longer fixations than rectilinear ones, although without affecting overall preference. The findings are discussed in the context of familiarity and object functionality in shaping preference judgements.