030 Contour Bias
A tendency to favor objects with contours over objects with sharp angles or points.
• Things that possess sharp angles or pointed features activate a region of the brain associated with fear.
• The bias likely evolved as a form of threat detection, enabling human ancestors to reflexively detect dangerous plants, animals, and objects.
• In neutral contexts, people prefer round, curvy objects to sharp, angular objects, but the latter is more effective at getting and holding attention.
• The degree of fear activation in the brain is proportionate to the sharpness of objects, and inversely related to object preference.
• Use angular and pointy features to attract and hold attention. Use contoured features to make a positive first ...
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