Interrelationships between soundscape attributes and sound categories

ISO/TS 12913-2:2018 (2018). International Organization for Standardization (Method A) includes eight attributes for the characterization of the perceived affective quality of soundscapes and also categorizes sound sources into three main types: “nature”, “human”, and “noise”. This work investigates the interrelationships between soundscape attributes and sound categories according to ISO/TS 12913-2:2018 (2018). International Organization for Standardization. For this purpose, the sound stimuli were categorized based on their most prevalent components and subsequently listening tests (n = 30 participants) were performed, using the Greek-translated attributes of the soundscape circumplex. Statistical analysis was performed and principal component analysis was applied to further access the soundscape perception of participants. Results revealed large differentiation between combinations of attributes. The variability explained in the monotonous–pleasant relationship shows a strong negative correlation for human sounds (ρ=−0.74) and a positive correlation for noise sounds (ρ=0.25). In the monotonous–chaotic relationship, there is a strong negative correlation for noise sounds (ρ=−0.76) and a positive correlation for human sounds (ρ=0.21). In the vibrant–pleasant relationship, there is a negative correlation for noise sounds (ρ=−0.56) and a positive correlation for human sounds (ρ=0.39). In conclusion, this study sheds new light on the interrelationships between perceptual attributes and sound categories, which are important for a more accurate assessment of the perceived affective quality of soundscapes.