Processing of Aesthetic Information

Abstract

In a preference choice task subjects were tachistoscopically presented with aesthetic stimuli of equivalent meaning (i.e., semantics) which were modified in three different ways: (H) harmony, symmetry, (R) redundance, decoration, and (D) distant, original piece of art. In this research, a standard procedure used in experimental cognitive psychology was applied, i.e., variation of exposure duration which provided variation of depth of processing. At the shortest exposure duration subjects preferred the (H) type of stimuli. Increase of exposure duration to 500 ms shifted preference to (R) type of stimuli, while a further increase of an additional 500 ms favoured (D) type of stimuli. A model of aesthetic decision making including three consecutive stages with different operative characteristics is proposed.

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