Experiment Programmed Up!

Jun 27, 2016

Experiment Programmed Up!I have finished programming up the project.  I've pilot tested the programs and everything is ready to go.  I am scheduling my first subject so I can get rolling on data collection.  Progress!

Dr. THoma J. Capo, Jeanie, and 3 others like this.

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Chas cliftonBacker

Go, psychology man! Question: how are you defining "art?" Is it art if it's cheesy or shopworn? Is it art if I think it is art? So if subjects feel that they are experiencing art, that's good, right? If I think the Mona Lisa is just a smirking barmaid, then I won't be having an esthetic experience with her. Keep us posted.

Jun 28, 20160

John MullennixResearcher

Yes, that's a critical issue... A lot of people don't view Duchamp's "Fountain" and Warhol's soup cans as art... Well, in this study we're using abstract modern art paintings from little known painters. The artworks were used in a previous study by some Europeans, and they find that the average person generally seems to treat them as "legitimate" art works. There are fMRI brain imaging studies that indicate that different brain regions "light up" for portraits vs. abstract art vs. landscapes, etc. So there seems to be some physiological evidence that we treat certain entities as "art." It's a Wild West area of research... Indeed, one idea I have is to take something like Fountain and manipulate the titles and information that comes with it and see if that affects how people treat it. There are also huge differences between naive viewers and experts, which is the entire reason for this study...

Jun 29, 20160

Sylvia JessbergerBacker

High five.

Jun 27, 20160

John MullennixResearcher

:-)

Jun 28, 20160

About This Project

Does artistic experience affect the mental processes used when viewing visual art?

University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

Everyone has a unique experience when they look at art. We know that this experience is produced by neuro-cognitive processing of the artwork by the human brain. My main question is whether the mental processes used to appreciate art are different for people with more experience with art. This project will test experienced artists to determine whether they use System 1 (fast, automatic) brain processes or System 2 (slower and more deliberative) brain processes when they view visual art.