Expectation as a factor in the perception of soundscapes

This paper discusses how expectation and experience form a contributory factor in the perception of soundscapes. The research used fieldwork carried out in London and Manchester, and also a soundscape simulator in a laboratory. Through the use of an enhanced version of soundwalking, respondents are led on a walk around an urban space focusing on the soundscape, whilst answering questions in a semi-structured interview. The questions aim to investigate a participant’s experience of a number of different spaces, and their pre-determined environmental expectation and how this impacts on their evaluation and perception of the soundscape. This concept expands on Truax’s notion of soundscape competence. Attitudes towards safety, social norms, accepted behaviour, visual aesthetics and control attributed to the space, form the basis of place expectation and relate to overall perception of the soundscape for each space. When one or more of these factors conflict with a perceived place expectation, then the soundscape is rated less favourably. This work forms part of the Positive Soundscape Project.