3.2. The Preference Framework and the Internet
The Preference Framework makes sound theoretical sense in the context of an information approach to human functioning. Information, according to Kaplan et al. (1998), is central to human effectiveness. Thus, how information is presented, both in terms of content and organization, can facilitate or impede its utilization. Developed to provide guidance in designing physical landscapes, the Preference Framework is applicable to the Internet as it too is a highly cognitive, information-laden environment. Each of the elements of this framework can be associated with elements of the web landscape.
Coherence refers to the degree to which the environmental landscape hangs together. As such, coherence relies on redundancy of elements and textures. An example would be the coordinated colors in L.L. Bean's website (http://llbean.com). All of the colors in the menubars and the products highlighted give an “outdoorsy” feel, utilizing shades of blue, green and brown.
Complexity refers to the richness of the elements in a setting. FTD's website (http://ftd.com) contains color photos of floral arrangements, product selection suggestions, short articles, as well as a left-hand menubar for navigation.
It is relatively easy to see how these first two dimensions can be related to website design. Through consistent deployment of a complementary color scheme or through variety in design elements, the user can make sense of and become interested in the Webscape.
Legibility is defined by distinctiveness. By possessing a memorable component, a landmark, a scene facilitates finding one's way. In the web, this is similar to having a site map to make navigation of the website easier or having a distinctive graphic or icon that makes way-finding much more straightforward. For example, in L.L. Bean's website, the menubar remains positioned at the bottom of the screen no matter to what page one moves.
Mystery is used in landscape design, whereby a curved path is far more enticing than a straight one. Mystery enhances one's desire to explore a space by conveying the feeling that much more can be found if one keeps on going. Many websites try to establish “mystery” by having pages linked together not only mechanically but through the very content itself. For example, after an explanation of basic color theory on one site, the author ends one page with a link to the next with the phrase “let's go” hoping that they have developed the desire to learn more (http://alistapart.com/stories/color/).
Making websites “user friendly” requires making them easy to use and understand. A web developer can use coherence, complexity, legibility and mystery to tap into the cognitive maps individuals employ to make sense of their world, thus, building sites users feel comfortable returning to over and over again. The preference matrix provides a useful way to begin to develop an understanding of how to select appropriate web content elements.
In the remainder of this paper, we present a study designed to develop the WSPS. Based on the previous discussion, we test the following hypothesis to demonstrate the usefulness of this scale to website development: