{"title":"A Kind of Magic: Social Representations of Magic from Magicians and non-Magicians","authors":"Léonore Robieux, Cyril Thomas, Marion Botella","doi":"10.1177/02762374251324913","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02762374251324913","url":null,"abstract":"Magic is an art form that creates illusory experiences of impossibility by generating a conflict between what we witness and what we believe about the world. The uniqueness of this art has intrigued researchers for over a century. The present study explores the social representations of magic among magicians and non-magicians to understand how these groups perceive magic. Utilizing the framework of Social Representations (SR), which encompasses shared ideas and beliefs, this research aims to better understand the existence of differentiated perceptions of the same object based on one's relationship and proximity to it. The study involved 424 participants, including magicians and non-magicians, who were asked to list words associated with magic. The hierarchical, descending classification analysis revealed five distinct classes of representations, highlighting differences based on interest and expertise in magic. Magicians view magic positively, emphasizing the emotional exchange with the audience, while non-magicians exhibit varied perspectives, from indifference to fascination, influenced by cognitive conflicts and emotional responses. These findings underline the importance of understanding diverse perceptions to enhance the magical experience and suggest further research into how prior beliefs and representations influence the suspension of disbelief.","PeriodicalId":45870,"journal":{"name":"Empirical Studies of the Arts","volume":"36 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143733864","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 Beauty of Nature Without People: An Investigation of the Roles of People, Nature, and Interpersonal Touch in Painting Preference","authors":"Young-Jin Hur, Sonia Abad-Hernando, Ramiro Joly-Mascheroni, MacKenzie D. Trupp, Beatriz Calvo-Merino","doi":"10.1177/02762374251320823","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02762374251320823","url":null,"abstract":"While art, nature, and social interactions are key elements of a healthy culture and lifestyle, how nature and social factors in paintings impact the viewer experience still remains unclear. This study aimed to explore how the number of depicted people, the presence of interpersonal touch, and the setting (indoor vs. outdoor) affect art preference. A total of 420 paintings were rated (online survey) on their liking across 300 participants. Across participants, paintings without people were significantly liked over paintings with people, which was especially prominent in depictions of outdoor settings. Furthermore, while people liked paintings without touch, this was only the case for paintings of outdoor depictions. The study also explored how these preferences were modulated by individual differences. The findings underscore the relevance and importance of social aspects in art and how this interacts with the viewer's individuality.","PeriodicalId":45870,"journal":{"name":"Empirical Studies of the Arts","volume":"27 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143672512","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":"I Love Music! It Harmonizes Me! : Listening to Music Based on Adaptive Function of Music Listening (AFML) and its Influence on Study Engagement in Physical Education – A Cross-Sectional Study","authors":"Joseph Lobo","doi":"10.1177/02762374251329550","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02762374251329550","url":null,"abstract":"Music is more than just background noise—it shapes emotions, reinforces identity, and enhances engagement. This study examined the association between the adaptive functions of music listening and student engagement in Physical Education among first- and second-year college students in the Philippines. Findings revealed that music listening for adaptive functioning is significantly associated with study engagement. Specifically, music for emotional regulation and identity alignment was positively linked to engagement, while music for stress regulation showed a negative association, suggesting that reliance on music for stress relief may hinder full participation in PE. Despite these insights, the study is limited by self-report data, sample scope, and its quantitative approach, which focuses on associations rather than causation. Future research should explore cross-cultural contexts, incorporate qualitative perspectives, and examine additional factors. These findings highlight the complex role of adaptive music listening in education and its potential to enhance student motivation and engagement.","PeriodicalId":45870,"journal":{"name":"Empirical Studies of the Arts","volume":"93 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143666159","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}
Christa T. Mahlobo, Katherine N. Cotter, Sam Kirk, Morgan R. Delizia, Norah Aldawsari, Kirsten Calloway, Kim Lancaster, Jennifer Rossano, James O. Pawelski
{"title":"Exploring Black American Flourishing Through the Arts and Humanities: A Scoping Review","authors":"Christa T. Mahlobo, Katherine N. Cotter, Sam Kirk, Morgan R. Delizia, Norah Aldawsari, Kirsten Calloway, Kim Lancaster, Jennifer Rossano, James O. Pawelski","doi":"10.1177/02762374251320815","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02762374251320815","url":null,"abstract":"Prior literature has shown that arts & humanities (A&H) engagement enhances flourishing; however, much of the existing literature has focused primarily on White American samples, creating a lack of evidence around the impacts of A&H on Black American flourishing. Furthermore, despite significant evidence demonstrating the impact of the arts on psychological, physical, and interpersonal flourishing, there is a lack of evidence focusing on the relationship between A&H and other key flourishing dimensions, such as transcendent or collective flourishing, that are salient within Black American communities. A scoping review was conducted to provide a comprehensive summary of literature connecting A&H to Black American flourishing across psychological, physical, interpersonal, collective, and transcendent dimensions of flourishing. Results: of this scoping review ( <jats:italic>n</jats:italic> = 114 studies) revealed nuanced relationships between A&H engagement in Black Americans, including the impact of culturally relevant A&H engagement. Additionally, the review identified gaps in the literature regarding the study of the impact of A&H on transcendent flourishing in this population.","PeriodicalId":45870,"journal":{"name":"Empirical Studies of the Arts","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143653928","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":"Does Art Make a Difference? – An Experimental Investigation of Differential Perception and Processing in the Reception of Artistic and Non-Artistic Apocalyptic Climate Images","authors":"Berend Barkela, Julia Ress","doi":"10.1177/02762374251320816","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02762374251320816","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, we investigate the differential impact of artistic versus documentary dystopian imagery of climate change using an experimental design (N = 1155, German access panel). We present supporting evidence for the hypotheses that abstract artworks depicting dystopian scenarios of climate change, compared to documentary photographs, lead to higher aesthetic judgments, are likely to evoke stronger positive and weaker negative emotions, and result in greater psychological distancing, lower attention to climate change, and reduced efficacy beliefs to mitigate climate change. Moreover, based on an exploratory content analysis, we show that most participants recognize a nature motif and reference to an environmental problem in both images. However, only the artwork prompted positive reactions or unique interpretations beyond the immediate subject of the image. Our study highlights a critical need for a balanced use of visual media in climate change advocacy.","PeriodicalId":45870,"journal":{"name":"Empirical Studies of the Arts","volume":"55 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143635658","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":"Effects of Emotional Valence, Training Experience, and Audiovisual Dual Modality on Emotion in Dance","authors":"Yi Wang, Maoping Zheng","doi":"10.1177/02762374251320531","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02762374251320531","url":null,"abstract":"The dance art form involves audiovisual dual modality perception, and research is unclear regarding the original accompanying music, the audience's emotional response to the dance/music, and the impact of dance training on the audiovisual dual modality recognition and experience of emotion in dance. This study is a mixed experimental design that was adopted: 2 (presentation modality: audiovisual bimodal vs. visual modality only) × 2 (dance training experience: dance major vs. non-dance major) × 2 (emotional valence: happiness vs. sadness). The results show that audiovisual dual modality significantly impacts emotional experience but not emotional recognition. Additionally, individuals’ professional experience is critical for dance's emotional recognition and experience. Dancers can recognize and appreciate dance works through a single visual mode, which non-dancers are unable to do. The results provide insights into the relationships between dance training experience, audiovisual dual modality, and dance emotion.","PeriodicalId":45870,"journal":{"name":"Empirical Studies of the Arts","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143443377","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 Impact of Pseudo-Profound Bullshit Titles on Memory for Artist-Created and AI-Generated Art","authors":"Almut Hupbach, Arielle Janger","doi":"10.1177/02762374251314402","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02762374251314402","url":null,"abstract":"Research has shown that pseudo-profound bullshit titles increase the perceived profundity of art. The current study asks whether this effect extends to memory. Participants rated the liking and perceived profundity of artist-created and AI-generated paintings, paired with mundane or pseudo-profound bullshit titles. Approximately 24 h later, participants completed an old/new recognition test, including both old and new AI-generated and artist-created images. Pseudo-profound bullshit titles increased perceived profundity. However, recognition performance was neither affected by titles nor rated profundity. Instead, liking predicted recognition performance, and paintings created by artists were better recognized than AI images. These findings show that although pseudo-profound bullshit titles may initially seem more profound, they do not encourage people to engage in deep meaningful analysis of the artwork. In addition, our study suggests that paintings created by artists are more memorable than AI-generated ones, yet the underlying mechanisms of this effect still need to be uncovered.","PeriodicalId":45870,"journal":{"name":"Empirical Studies of the Arts","volume":"14 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143056890","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}
Ahmet Yasin Şenyurt, Bedirhan Gültepe, Elvan Kiremitçi Canıöz
{"title":"Artists and Mate Preferences: The Effects of Being a Painter and Intellectuality","authors":"Ahmet Yasin Şenyurt, Bedirhan Gültepe, Elvan Kiremitçi Canıöz","doi":"10.1177/02762374251314647","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02762374251314647","url":null,"abstract":"This research investigates the influence of being a painter and intellectuality on mate preferences. Two studies were conducted to explore the relationships between being a painter and mate preferences. Study 1 analyzed 192 participants who rated painters, ideal partners, and themselves using a set of adjectives. Results revealed significant correlations between the cognitive abilities attributed to painters and the desirable traits sought in an ideal partner, particularly among women. Consequently, the second study focused exclusively on female participants and considered intellectuality as a broad, overarching concept. Study 2 focused on 150 female participants and used a between-subjects design to manipulate the target's occupation (painter vs. civil servant) and intellectuality (high vs. low). Findings showed an interaction effect, indicating that low intellectual-civil servant condition was the least preferred. These studies suggest that intellectuality is a key factor in the appeal of painters, particularly for women.","PeriodicalId":45870,"journal":{"name":"Empirical Studies of the Arts","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142989814","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}
Nicola Di Stefano, Alessandro Ansani, Andrea Schiavio, Suvi Saarikallio, Charles Spence
{"title":"Audiovisual Associations in Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals: A Cross-Cultural Investigation on the Role of Timbre","authors":"Nicola Di Stefano, Alessandro Ansani, Andrea Schiavio, Suvi Saarikallio, Charles Spence","doi":"10.1177/02762374241308810","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02762374241308810","url":null,"abstract":"Several studies have investigated crossmodal associations involving audiovisual stimuli. To date, however, far fewer studies have explored the relationship between musical timbre and visual features (e.g., soft/harsh timbres with blue/red colours). To fill this gap in the literature, 249 participants were invited to judge the match between different coloured images and musical excerpts. The images depicted seven characters from Saint-Saëns’ “Carnival of the Animals”; the audio stimuli consisted of the music the composer created to represent each character. To test the effect of timbre and culture, the audio stimuli were presented either in the original orchestral version or in the piano transcription, while the participants were recruited from various countries, encompassing both Western and non-Western nationalities. The results demonstrate that timbre influences crossmodal associations between musical excerpts and drawings, while these associations remain consistent across cultures, languages, and levels of musical background.","PeriodicalId":45870,"journal":{"name":"Empirical Studies of the Arts","volume":"87 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142988486","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 Cultural-Match Effect on Art Appreciation in Adolescents","authors":"Magdalena Szubielska, Robbie Ho, Natalia Kopiś-Posiej","doi":"10.1177/02762374241308812","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02762374241308812","url":null,"abstract":"The cultural-match effect on art appreciation refers to a higher aesthetic evaluation of artworks that match the viewers’ cultural background. The present study examines this effect in Western adolescents. We hypothesized longer viewing time (H1) and higher art appreciation (H2) for culturally matching (Western) than mismatching (Eastern) paintings. Representing three age groups (12–13, 14–15, and 16–17 years old), Polish adolescents were tested in a lab. They viewed images of paintings that varied in origin (West vs. East) and time period (historic vs. contemporary), while their viewing time and ratings of art appreciation were obtained. H1 was supported as the participants viewed culturally matching paintings for longer. H2 was partially supported as the cultural-match effect interacted with time period and age group. H2 was supported within historic paintings and mainly among the oldest age group. Hence, the cultural-match effect among adolescents might not generalize to contemporary art.","PeriodicalId":45870,"journal":{"name":"Empirical Studies of the Arts","volume":"49 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142986709","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}