Does it Matter to be Pictured from Below?

• Published in: Psychologica Belgica Vol. 46; no. 3; pp. 199 - 210
• Main Authors: Sevenants, Aline, D’Ydewalle, Géry
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ubiquity Press 01.07.2006
• ISSN: 0033-2879; 2054-670X
• DOI: 10.5334/pb-46-3-199

Does the way in which a scene is viewed influence the interpretation of the role of the characters that appear in it, and does narrative context influence sensitivity to camera angle? In the linear conditions of the present study, each of 3 stories consisted of a sequence of 5 pictures. Pictures 2 and 3 introduced the 2 characters with either a high-angle, an eye-level, or a low-angle shot. In the random conditions, the 5 pictures were rearranged into a random order. Immediately after viewing each story, the 2 characters were rated on the 3 factors of Osgood's semantic differential (Evaluation, Potency, & Activation). Thereafter, an acceptable end to each of the 3 stories was to be chosen on a multiple-choice questionnaire. The results show a significant effect of the camera angle on the factor "Potency" under the linear condition: A low-angle shot elicited more potency. In addition, for one of the 3 stories in which the 2 characters were engaged in a common activity (chess playing), there was a significant difference on the choice of the probable ends as a function of camera position: The character, presented with a low-angle shot, was perceived as the winning player.