Next steps in neuroaesthetics: Which processes and processing stages to study?

Abstract

Aesthetic experiences arise from the interaction among several cognitive and emotional processes. By positing a number of distinctive processing stages, information-processing models have served as fruitful frames for empirical research on the perception of art and aesthetic experiences in general. Such theoretically founded proposals have contributed, among other issues, to our understanding of stylerelated processing, the time course of early processes, and the relevance of prior experience, including massive familiarization, emotional states, and expertise. Here we examine the implications of recent empirical research for the components of an information-processing model of aesthetic experiences (Leder, Belke, Oeberst & Augustin, 2004). On the one hand, our analysis suggests that the model underestimated the complexity and relevance of emotional processes involved in experiencing art. On the other hand, it has led to new insights into the temporal processes underlying the aesthetic experience and helped clarify issues that will be relevant for future research in experimental aesthetics and neuroaesthetics.