Comparisons

 Here are some photos that I've taken some time ago and I can relate them to the rule of thirds

Photo without rule of thirds:

Photo with rules of thirds:



Without:

With:

From the examples, we naturally favor the pictures that are applied with the rule of thirds. 

Research:

http://photoinf.com/General/KODAK/guidelines_for_better_photographic_composition_rule_of_thirds.html