Functional Neuroimaging in Empirical Aesthetics and Neuroaesthetics

Abstract

Abstract Functional neuroimaging refers to methods used to non-invasively visualize neural activity in the brain in relation to specific experimental variables. Over the past 15 years, functional neuroimaging has begun to provide novel findings on the neurobiology of our aesthetic activities and art appreciation. This chapter provides a review of functional neuroimaging studies, especially using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetoencephalography (MEG), on a range of aesthetic experiences and evaluations and their neural correlates. It describes an overview of a number of core brain structures and networks engaged in aesthetic activities, together with general functions of each of the brain regions. It then discusses recent advancements in neuroaesthetics including an investigation into cross-cultural aspects, abstraction of beauty, a contextual effect on aesthetic evaluations, and new analysis techniques.