Application of Housen’s Model of Aesthetic Development in Higher Education: An Exploration of Cognitive Aspects during Art Appreciation

Abstract

Studies in psychology of art appreciation have been conducted at different times since the beginning of 20th century. The aims of such studies include finding out audience experiences in viewing an artwork, whether it is more rational or emotional. However, there is an inadequate amount of evidence-based research conducted in Indonesia from which further studies can emanate. This paper aims to initiate evidence-based study on art appreciation for Indonesian population. Specifically, it investigates how the experience of art appreciation differs between Visual Art and Non-Visual Art students in an Art Psychology class of 2017/2018, at Bandung Institute of Technology (Mean Age=21.25, SD=0.66). This study draws on the actual end-of-semester exam using Housen’s model of aesthetic development. Data is analyzed using a comparative method informed by the model and scored using percentage and frequency to represent the proportion of valid corresponding responses. Main findings of this study highlight comparable experiences in art appreciation between Visual Art and Non-Visual Art students. The results correspond to the influence of exposure to art criticism and the Visual Art students’ rational approach to art appreciation. They also show that art appreciation enables students to exercise their cognitive aspects during meaning-making activities.