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A volitional account of aesthetic experience
1Independent Scientist, Gloucester, MA, United States.
Frontiers in Psychology
|November 8, 2024
Summary
Aesthetic experiences are altered states of consciousness offering self-liberation. This study explores psychological approaches and proposes a volitional perspective on aesthetic engagement, detailing devices that induce these states.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy
Background:
- Aesthetic experience is an altered state of consciousness, characterized by detached absorption and a liberation from the self.
- Psychological research has primarily focused on perceptual-cognitive and affective aspects of aesthetic experience.
- A need exists for a volitional perspective to fully understand aesthetic engagement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing psychological approaches to aesthetic experience.
- To propose a volitional perspective on aesthetic experience.
- To explore the nature and scope of aesthetic experience by discussing nine varieties and the devices used to induce them.
Main Methods:
- Review of perceptual-cognitive and affective approaches in psychology.
- Discussion of nine varieties of aesthetic experience.
- Analysis of aesthetic devices and their psychological mechanisms (attention, appraisal, empathy).
- Examination of the role of Openness to Experience personality trait.
Main Results:
- Aesthetic experience involves detached absorption and self-liberation.
- Nine distinct varieties of aesthetic experience are identified, elicited by different object qualities.
- Aesthetic devices effectively manipulate psychological mechanisms like attention, appraisal, and empathy.
- Individuals high in Openness to Experience are particularly responsive to these devices.
Conclusions:
- A volitional perspective is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of aesthetic experience.
- Aesthetic devices leverage psychological mechanisms to induce altered states of consciousness.
- Individual differences, such as Openness to Experience, significantly influence aesthetic engagement.
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