The importance of symmetry and complexity in the evaluation of complexity, interest and pleasingness

Abstract

The Ss were required to rate on scales of subjective complexity and affect two sets of figures, one comprising a series of random polygons varying in number of sides from four to 160, and the second, four series of symmetrical polygons varying in number of sides from 10 to 90. Symmetry was found to be a significant determinant of rated complexity and affect, but did not affect these responses in the same way as did complexity.