Table 3.

Variables used for quantitative analysis.

Dependent variables
Disruption	5-point Likert item
Stimulation	5-point Likert item
Suitability	5-point Likert item
Independent variables
Level of social interaction	Binary variable (“solitary” and “socially interactive”)
Familiarity with what is heard∗	Ordinal variable (“low and medium familiarity,” “high familiarity,” “very high familiarity”)
Frequency of use of public space	Ordinal variable (“this is my first visit,” “a few times per year,” “at least once a month,” “at least once a week”)
Location	Categorical variable; three distinct locations (“Sarphatipark,” “Oosterpark,” “Frederiksplein”)
Age∗∗	Binary variable: “35 or younger” and “older than 35”
Gender	Binary variable: “male,” and “female”

^∗The original five categories were collapsed in three for group comparison: “low and medium familiarity” (including “very low,” “low,” and “medium familiarity”), “high familiarity” and “very high familiarity.” ^∗∗The original continuous “age” variable was collapsed in two for group comparison.