{"title":"Symmetry and Meaningfulness in the Spotlight of Expertness","authors":"Bernadett Palko-Arndt, Cintia Bali, Aniko Illes","doi":"10.1177/02762374241291012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02762374241291012","url":null,"abstract":"Empirical aesthetics focuses on understanding how perceptual features shape aesthetic preferences, with symmetry being a key aspect. However, recent studies show variation in symmetry preference across samples and stimuli. Our study aims to explore the boundaries of symmetry preference, particularly in relation to meaning, prototypicality and expertise in visual arts. With our stimuli we can test the comparative dominance of these features. In our forced-choice preference task (N = 196), we manipulated images for symmetry, meaning, and prototypicality. Findings reveal that symmetry preference is only remarkable in meaningless images among non-experts. Instead, meaningfulness emerged as a significant factor influencing their aesthetic preferences. Experts show no distinct preference for symmetry or meaningfulness. However, prototypicality is favoured by both groups in meaningful stimuli, regardless of symmetry. These results highlight the dominance of meaning in aesthetic experience and underscore the complex interplay between symmetry, meaning, and expertise in visual arts.","PeriodicalId":45870,"journal":{"name":"Empirical Studies of the Arts","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142536444","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cultural Engagement and Subjective Well-Being in the Cluj Metropolitan Area: An Exploration in Cultural Commoning and Collaborative Development","authors":"Norbert Petrovici, Cristian Pop, Rarița Zbranca","doi":"10.1177/02762374241291479","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02762374241291479","url":null,"abstract":"We explore cultural participation's impact on subjective well-being in Cluj Metropolitan Area. Using telephone surveys, we identify a positive correlation between cultural engagement and increased well-being, mediated by cultural appraisal. Three primary participation types—active, receptive, and entertainment-related—are identified. Active and entertainment-related activities indirectly enhance well-being through cultural appraisal, while receptive participation shows no significant direct or indirect effect. Controlling socio-economic factors, the mediation analysis underscores cultural practices’ significant impact on well-being. These findings support the “cultural commoning” hypothesis, indicating collective urban cultural engagement fosters shared values and improves subjective well-being.","PeriodicalId":45870,"journal":{"name":"Empirical Studies of the Arts","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142488659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Twofold Role of Subjective Fluency in Displeasing but Preferable Visual Artworks: Self-Report and Eye-Tracking analysis","authors":"Jinwoo Lee, Dayoun Choi, Joung-A Eom, Mijung Kang","doi":"10.1177/02762374241288698","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02762374241288698","url":null,"abstract":"Subjective fluency affects preference evaluation in daily objects through two routes: increasing preference (‘hedonic effect’) and amplifying valence effects on preference (‘amplifying effect’). Contrarily, empirical aesthetics suggest that contextual knowledge, the primary source of fluency, prevents valence-dependent appreciation, challenging the amplifying effect model. Here, we examined the dual effects of fluency on preference for visual artworks with varying valence. We found that fluency increased preference and weakened valence effects. Using an eye-tracking approach, we also investigated the cognitive mechanism bridging fluency and preference. We hypothesized that contextual information facilitates controlled processing-related eye movement, and this gazing behavior enhances fluency and preference. While contextual information facilitated controlled processing and fluency, controlled eye movement did not mediate its effect on fluency. Although our findings motivate further research into the complex interplay between processing style and fluency, they elucidate art-specific affect-fluency-preference interactions.","PeriodicalId":45870,"journal":{"name":"Empirical Studies of the Arts","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142487440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paul J. Silvia, Sara J. Crasson, Gil Greengross, Maciej Karwowski, Rebekah M. Rodriguez-Boerwinkle
{"title":"Attitudes and Abracadabra: How Do Skeptical, Superstitious, and Paranormal Beliefs Predict Enjoying Performance Magic?","authors":"Paul J. Silvia, Sara J. Crasson, Gil Greengross, Maciej Karwowski, Rebekah M. Rodriguez-Boerwinkle","doi":"10.1177/02762374241291482","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02762374241291482","url":null,"abstract":"The growing psychology of magic field explores how spectators understand, appreciate, and experience this ancient performing art. The present research explored how skeptical, superstitious, and paranormal beliefs predict the enjoyment of magic. A sample of American adults ( n = 292) completed a measure of magic attitudes (the Loathing of Legerdemain Scale) along with many measures of (1) skeptical and rational beliefs (e.g., critical thinking and trust in science), and (2) superstitious and paranormal beliefs (e.g., luck, conspiracy theories, and paranormal topics like astrology, psi, witchcraft, and spiritualism). Random forests identified the most important unique predictors of magic attitudes within this large, intercorrelated predictor set. Consistent with past research and with magicians’ experiences, enjoying magic was marked by seemingly opposing clusters of beliefs—one marked by higher critical thinking, and another marked by higher superstitious and paranormal beliefs—highlighting the variety of psychological underpinnings for the enjoyment of magic.","PeriodicalId":45870,"journal":{"name":"Empirical Studies of the Arts","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142448539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Joseph Lobo, Jem Cloyd Tanucan, Rhene Camarador, Al Azim, Edi Setiawan, Hans Freyzer Arao, Leanjo Fernando
{"title":"Revolutionizing Dance Education Through the Assessment of Online Videoconferencing to Increase Participation in Dance: Learning Philippine Traditional Dances","authors":"Joseph Lobo, Jem Cloyd Tanucan, Rhene Camarador, Al Azim, Edi Setiawan, Hans Freyzer Arao, Leanjo Fernando","doi":"10.1177/02762374241288701","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02762374241288701","url":null,"abstract":"The present study investigated the determinants affecting students’ actual use through the use of a video-conferencing platform, and how actual use affects dance engagement, for enhancing the learning experience in the domain of dance education, particularly Philippine Traditional Dances. Therefore, this predictive-causal study aimed to assess the effect of actual use (by adopting Technology Acceptance Model) to dance engagement from a total sample of 1,741 students by using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling. It was observed that perceived ease of use directly affects perceived usefulness; both PEOU and PU impacts Behavioral Intention and Actual Use; and BI leverages Actual Use of the videoconferencing platform. Moreover, it was also found that AU strengthens Dance Engagement. Findings indicate that students may benefit greatly from using the videoconferencing platform that may significantly bolster their dance engagement in learning Philippine traditional dances, but with some obstacles that needs to be taken into consideration.","PeriodicalId":45870,"journal":{"name":"Empirical Studies of the Arts","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142431298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anjan Chatterjee, Helmut Leder, Marcos Nadal, Jeff Smith, Lisa Smith, Pablo P. L. Tinio, Oshin Vartanian, Debra Zellner
{"title":"Remembrances of Paul Locher","authors":"Anjan Chatterjee, Helmut Leder, Marcos Nadal, Jeff Smith, Lisa Smith, Pablo P. L. Tinio, Oshin Vartanian, Debra Zellner","doi":"10.1177/02762374241288340","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02762374241288340","url":null,"abstract":"Paul Locher passed away on 20 August 2024. Paul was an outstanding scientist and a central figure in the field of empirical aesthetics. He made important contributions to numerous areas including the study of symmetry, balance, facial attractiveness, museum behaviour, artwork composition and restoration, and aesthetics of food, but in particular to the study of eye movements in aesthetic appreciation of artworks. Indeed, his research on eye tracking is a touchstone for visual perception in empirical aesthetics. Here, a group of Paul's colleagues remember and celebrate him through a set of recollections that honour how he shaped their research and lives. It is hoped that this will offer a glimpse into the wonderful scholar and human being that Paul was, and why he will be sorely missed.","PeriodicalId":45870,"journal":{"name":"Empirical Studies of the Arts","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142431300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Generative Models for the Psychology of Art and Aesthetics","authors":"Aaron Hertzmann","doi":"10.1177/02762374241288696","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02762374241288696","url":null,"abstract":"This paper describes how computational generative models can describe aspects of the artistic process, and how these generative models can provide tools for formulating and testing psychological theories of art. The term “generative models” here refers to algorithms that can generate artistic imagery, video, text, or other artistic media, including techniques developed in both computer graphics and AI research. Generative models can both describe artistic processes and offer useful experimental tools. This paper first outlines different ways to understand the types of research in generative models. It then surveys several recent examples of using generative models to develop theories and to perform experiments. The paper then discusses misleading uses of the concept of “AI-generated art” in psychological studies, and the need for study of our relationship with new artistic technologies. Finally, the paper offers a few remarks on pursuing interdisciplinary research across psychology and computer graphics.","PeriodicalId":45870,"journal":{"name":"Empirical Studies of the Arts","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142386247","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rangchun Hou, Claudia Victoria Martinez Roa, Peter Bohao Yang, Jack Jiaqi Zhang, Benson Wui-Man Lau, Dalinda Isabel Sánchez Vidaña
{"title":"Art and Cooking Therapies on Mental Health and Well-Being: A Narrative Review","authors":"Rangchun Hou, Claudia Victoria Martinez Roa, Peter Bohao Yang, Jack Jiaqi Zhang, Benson Wui-Man Lau, Dalinda Isabel Sánchez Vidaña","doi":"10.1177/02762374241283538","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02762374241283538","url":null,"abstract":"Mental health is relevant to every individual. Poor mental health and well-being contribute significantly to personal suffering and a substantial burden on society. Art and cooking therapies in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are flexible approaches that emphasize engagement and growth to promote mental health and well-being, are easy to perform, accessible when needed, and can be self-administered. This review aims to explore art and cooking therapies focusing on intervention protocols, target populations, underlying mechanisms, limitations, and areas for future research. The literature search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Semantic Scholar databases using predefined search terms. A total of 26 randomized controlled trials, 19 in art therapy, and seven in cooking therapy were included. Art and cooking therapies are promising interventions to improve mental health and well-being. They promote mindfulness and provide opportunities for self-expression and social support which can be explored in future studies and therapeutic settings.","PeriodicalId":45870,"journal":{"name":"Empirical Studies of the Arts","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142306398","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Immersed in Art: The Impact of Affinity for Technology Interaction and Hedonic Motivation on Aesthetic Experiences in Virtual Reality","authors":"Hyunji Lee, Nara Youn","doi":"10.1177/02762374241282938","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02762374241282938","url":null,"abstract":"Viewing artworks through virtual reality (VR) offers a unique experience, yet understanding how individual traits and motivations affect this process requires further exploration. In this study, we empirically examined the factors influencing aesthetic experiences when viewing artworks in VR. We conducted two experiments using a between-subjects design with VR and 2D videos based on a virtual tour of the Sydney Opera House and an artistic interpretation of Vincent van Gogh's paintings as stimuli. Our moderated mediation analyses identified two pathways through which VR influences aesthetic experiences: a cognitive pathway and an affective pathway. The cognitive pathway reveals that VR enhances the sense of agency and immersion, enriching the aesthetic experience for individuals with a high affinity for technology. The affective pathway shows that VR increases narrative transportation and immersion, enhancing the aesthetic experience particularly for those with strong hedonic motivations.","PeriodicalId":45870,"journal":{"name":"Empirical Studies of the Arts","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142245936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Students’ Personal Experience vis-à-vis Personal Interest Towards Philippine Traditional Dances with Respect to Dance Steps, Music, Costume, and Dance History for Preservation Endeavors: Does it Matter?","authors":"Joseph Lobo","doi":"10.1177/02762374241283544","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02762374241283544","url":null,"abstract":"The primary aim of this research is to investigate the immediate influence of students’ personal experiences and their degree of interest in traditional dances of the Philippines in relation to preservation efforts. Respondents for the study are students from a higher education institution in the Philippines. After obtaining data and performing multiple regression analysis, it was observed that overall personal experience has a direct influence to level of interest. Moreover, students’ personal experience has a direct influence to their interest towards dance steps and costumes, except music and dance history. Therefore, offering a wide range of varied and substantial activities students is imperative, commencing from early education through to their tertiary education years, to enhance enthusiasm and involvement in the safeguarding of these intangible cultural heritages. Limitations and recommendations for physical education teachers in the higher education sector, institutional projects and collaborative efforts, and future research directions are also presented.","PeriodicalId":45870,"journal":{"name":"Empirical Studies of the Arts","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142236758","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}