Why do humans naturally prefer using the oblique effect in their environments?

Humans show a natural preference for using the oblique effect due to the prevalence of horizontal and vertical lines in their environments. This preference is rooted in the way we perceive and interact with the world around us; our visual systems are finely tuned to recognize and navigate spaces marked by these common orientations.

In nature, structural elements like trees, buildings, and horizons are often aligned along horizontal or vertical lines, making these orientations more salient to our visual processing. As a result, our cognitive systems have evolved to prioritize and respond to these orientations, enabling us to move through our environment efficiently and effectively. The oblique effect highlights how our perceptual mechanisms are influenced by the actual geometry found in the world, thereby enhancing our ability to read and understand spatial layouts.

This preference is not solely about aesthetics or movement, but rather a reflection of how our visual processing is closely tied to the physical structures within our environment.