sciencetech-blog

comments

Curved screens may seem like a bit of a gimmick, but research suggests the likes of Samsung and LG may be on to something with their bendy devices.

Neurologists from Canada measured the brain activity of participants while they were shown images of curved and square objects, architecture, and furniture.

They discovered curved lines were considered more beautiful than straight lines, and they activated a region of the brain linked with reward.

Researchers from the University of Toronto measured the brain activity of participants while they were shown images of curved and square objects, architecture, and furniture. The study found curved lines were 60 per cent more likely to be considered beautiful. Samsung's curved TVs are shown on display, pictured

Lead researcher Oshin Vartanian, from the University of Toronto said curves are considered 'soft' and less threatening than sharp corners, which reduces a person's fear response and makes them feel more comfortable.

To come to this conclusion, Vartanian began by showing participants photos of various objects, rooms, and furniture.

The participants were asked to label each room 'beautiful' or 'not beautiful', and the curved rooms were 60% more likely to be considered aesthetically pleasing.

The same participants were placed in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) machine to study how contours impact brain activity and judgements.

As predicted, participants held a preference for spaces that were curved, rather than square.

Participants were also placed in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) machine to study how contours impact brain activity. The scans revealed curves (as seen on the Samsung Galaxy Round phone pictured) activated the anterior cingulate cortex - a region of the brain linked with reward and emotions

Samsung unveiled it Galaxy Round phone last year (pictured). This was followed shortly by LG's G Flex device. Lead researcher Oshin Vartanian said curves are considered 'soft' and less threatening than sharp corners, which reduces a person's fear response and makes them feel more comfortable

The scans also revealed curves activated the anterior cingulate cortex exclusively - a region of the brain linked with reward and emotions.

Vartanian said: 'The results suggest that the well-established effect of contour on our preferences can be extended to architecture.

Furthermore, the combination of our behavioural and neural evidence underscores the role of emotion in our preference for curvilinear objects in this domain. '

This study confirms previous research carried out by Harvard Medical School.

The same principle, in theory, could also be applied to curves in women's bodies, such as Kelly Brook, (pictured left). While a previous study found that when people looked at sharp objects and rooms (stock image pictured right) they activated the amygdala region of the brain associated with fear

Researchers found that when people looked at objects with sharp elements, they activated the amygdala region of the brain.

This is the part of the brain that processes fear, suggesting people associate sharp lines with a threat.

'In other words, we prefer curves because they signal lack of threat, i.e. safety,' concluded Vartanian.

Samsung unveiled its Galaxy Round phone last year. This was followed shortly by LG's G Flex device.

Both companies are also pioneering curved TV screens, which they claim increases the view of shows, and makes people feel immersed in the programme they are watching.