a cognitive theory of aesthetics gary doran. aesthetics major components: aesthetic experience (and...
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Aesthetics
Major components: Aesthetic Experience
(and Behavior) Aesthetic Properties
(Visual Stimuli) This definition is
artificial, and purposely limited
Cognitive Science
Interdisciplinary Field Neurology Psychology Others…
Fit to study aspects of aesthetics related to the human mind
Learning to See?
A lot of complicated social/cultural and conscious processes are involved in aesthetics
Let’s ignore them for now Focus on “universal” properties of aesthetics
Perception
Grouping Process of turning
individual components of stimulus into a whole object
Important for recognizing animals, especially camouflaged ones
“Low-Level” Processes
Peak-Shift Effect Mice trained to respond
to rectangles Respond more when
more rectangular stimuli are presented
Basis for caricature?
“High-Level” Processes
Non-art college students and art experts both asked to rate a set of paintings
There were correlations within each group, but negative correlations between groups
Enculturation “Acquired Tastes”
Theory and Practice
Concepts can be applied to art, architecture, or design in general
Universals important given multiculturalism Theory informs creativity, but doesn’t limit it