Application of multidimensional scaling to the analysis of sensory evaluations of stimuli with known attribute structures

Abstract

Examined sensory perceptions of dimensionally simple stimuli composed of 1 or 2 objectively measurable attributes of flavor (sweet, sour) and color (red) using multidimensional scaling analysis. In 3 experiments with 20–30 19–36 yr old Ss each, high correlations were found between the objectively measurable physical characteristics of the stimuli and the perceptual spaces obtained by multidimensional scaling analysis of expressed gustatory and visual perceptions. Correlations were highest for stimuli sets containing single attributes detected by either gustation or vision and decreased when more complex sensory attributes were presented. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)