Preference differences of different styles of oil paintings in various interior environments based on the PAD emotional state model and EEG.

Introduction: Decorative oil paintings are an integral component of interior environments, influencing not only spatial aesthetics but also occupants' emotional experiences and psychological perceptions. However, limited research has systematically examined the emotional interaction between different oil painting styles and interior design styles, particularly through the integration of subjective evaluations and objective physiological measures. Methods: This study investigated the emotional effects and preference characteristics of oil painting styles across various interior environments using a combined approach of the Pleasure-Arousal-Dominance (PAD) emotional scale and electroencephalography (EEG). Eight representative oil painting styles and six common interior design styles were selected. Participants' subjective emotional responses were assessed using the PAD scale, while neurophysiological activity was recorded via EEG. Emotional preferences and neural responses were analyzed to explore the relationships among painting styles, interior styles, and emotional perception. Results: The results indicated that Impressionistic, Post-Impressionistic, and Romanticism oil paintings were generally more preferred in modern interior environments, whereas Contemporary art was less favored and occasionally elicited negative emotional responses. EEG findings were largely consistent with PAD measurements: Higher preferences for Impressionistic, Post-Impressionistic, and Romanticism paintings were associated with increased positive-going amplitudes in the left frontal regions (Fp1 and F3), while Contemporary art elicited stronger negative-going amplitudes in the right frontal regions (Fp2 and F4). Additionally, prefrontal amplitude differences suggested variations in perceptual or attentional processing demands across interior styles. American- and Nordic-style interiors enhanced emotional pleasure, whereas Pastoral-style interiors were associated with reduced cognitive engagement. Significant preference differences were also observed across age and sex groups, with older participants favoring culturally rich styles such as the New Chinese style, and younger participants preferring visually impactful styles such as Romanticism and Impressionism. Discussion: Overall, EEG patterns exhibited qualitative consistency with PAD emotional evaluations, supporting the valence hypothesis. The findings elucidate the mechanisms by which decorative oil painting styles and interior environments jointly influence emotional experiences. This study provides scientific evidence for interior design optimization, art curation, and environmental psychology research, offering practical references for enhancing visual experience and emotional congruence in interior spaces.