The Taxonomy of Visual Aesthetic Preferences: An Empirical Study

Abstract

Earlier work has suggested the existence of two major dimensions of aesthetic preference judgments: 1) A general factor of “good taste,” and 2) a bipolar factor based on a preference for simplicity as opposed to complexity. Two tests measuring these two factors were administered to an artistic and a control group, and a zero correlation was predicted for both. In addition, the effects of artistic training were studied for the artistic group. Finally, ratings for aesthetic sensitivity and executive skill for members of the artistic group were correlated with the two tests. The tests, as predicted, were not correlated. Artistic training had a small but significant effect. The tests were not correlated with the ratings of aesthetic sensitivity and executive ability in drawing skill.

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