Can art promote understanding? A review of the psychology and neuroscience of aesthetic cognitivism

Dados Bibliográficos

ID21832240
AutoresAlexander P Christensen (0000-0002-9798-7037, University of Pennsylvania, autor correspondente), Eileen R Cardillo (0000-0001-7474-7738, University of Pennsylvania), Anjan Chatterjee (0000-0002-9092-8560, University of Pennsylvania)
Ano2025
Volume19
Fascículo1
Páginas1-13
Data de publicação2025-02-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoPsychology of Aesthetics Creativity and the Arts (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1931-3896 • E-ISSN: 1931-390X
EditoraAmerican Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1037/aca0000541
OpenAlexW4315779746
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas10
Referências citadas42

Aesthetic cognitivism refers to the proposition that art promotes knowledge and understanding.Despite its intuitive appeal, few empirical investigations have tested the validity of this philosophical claim.In our review, we outline prior arguments for and against aesthetic cognitivism.Then, with a focus on visual art, we discuss how empirical aesthetics and neuroscience can contribute to conversations about aesthetic cognitivism.We propose that engagement is necessary to acquire new knowledge and understanding, describe motivational states associated with learning, and posit who is most likely to experience these states to gain knowledge and understanding from art.Throughout the paper, we discuss how, when, and what knowledge derived from engagement might be measured and modeled.By grounding aesthetic cognitivism in empirical aesthetics, researchers can generate and test hypotheses about art's role in promoting knowledge and understanding

Cognition · Cognitive science · Aesthetic Perception and Analysis · Creativity in Education and Neuroscience · Digital Media and Visual Art · Neuroscience · Psychology