Investigation of Berlyne's theory of aesthetics and psychobiology

dc.contributor.advisorVernon, Philip E.
dc.contributor.authorSaklofske, Donald H.
dc.coverage.spatial200000418en
dc.coverage.spatial200000419en
dc.date.accessioned2005-07-19T20:16:45Z
dc.date.available2005-07-19T20:16:45Z
dc.date.issued1973
dc.descriptionBibliography: p. 148-165.en
dc.description.abstractBerlyne has extended his general theory of exploratory behaviour to include visual-aesthetic stimuli. Exploratory behaviour, including both specific and epistemic exploration, occurs when an individual is confronted with stimuli that produce conflict and a rise in arousal. The collative properties of stimulus material appear to have: a direct influence on arousal and exploratory behaviour. Such behaviour serves to supply the required information and increase the individual' knowledge of his stimulus field. Epistemic behaviour includes epistemic observation, consultation and directed thinking. Berlyne has also suggested that when curiosity is minimal or non-existent, diversive exploration comes to the fore and is directed toward stimu1i possessing appealing collative variables._x000D_ The purpose of this thesis is to observe the effects of the complexity of paintings on measure of specific and epistemic exploration and ratings of attractiveness. The subjects were ninety student nurses enrolled either at the University of Calgary or at the Calgary General Hospital. _x000D_ Three groups of five paintings each formed the levels simple, medium and complex based on ratings of complexity obtained from thirty subjects. It was found that looking time increased significantly with rated complexity. Total number of questions were found to be greatest at the complex level but did not differ significantly between the simple and intermediate levels. When questions were divided on the basis of yes-no questions and specific interrogations, similar result was obtained for the latter type of question as for total number of questions. Yes-no questions did not vary over the three levels of complexity. _x000D_ An inverted U-shaped relationship was found between ratings of pleasingness and preference, and complexity. Rated interest increased over the first two levels of complexity, but exhibited some negative acceleration between the medium and complex levels. _x000D_ After each subject had completed her required task and was therefore relatively familiar with the paintings, she was asked to indicate which painting she would most prefer to spend more time viewing and the one she would least like to view again. The majority of subjects chose paintings of medium complexity for further viewing while least often rejecting them, but simple paintings were least preferred and most often rejected. _x000D_ The results tended to support Berlyne's hypothesis that complexity influences specific and epistemic activity as well as ratings of interest and attractiveness. Diversive exploration appeared to relate more to paintings rated highly attractive and moderately complex and interesting. It was concluded that this study demonstrates the relevance of Berlyne’s theory of Aesthetics and Psychobiology in this investigr1tion of visual-aesthetic stimuli.
dc.format.extentxii, 186 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.en
dc.identifier82480876en
dc.identifier.citationSaklofske, D. H. (1973). Investigation of Berlyne's theory of aesthetics and psychobiology (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/11990en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/11990
dc.identifier.lccNX 165 S23 1973 Microficheen
dc.identifier.other82480876en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/13702
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.placeCalgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subject.lccNX 165 S23 1973 Microficheen
dc.subject.lcshBerlyne, D. E.
dc.subject.lcshAesthetics - Physiological aspects
dc.subject.lcshThe Arts - Psychology
dc.titleInvestigation of Berlyne's theory of aesthetics and psychobiology
dc.typedoctoral thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineEducational Psychology
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.item.requestcopyTRUE
ucalgary.thesis.accessionTheses Collection 58.002:Box 186 82480876
ucalgary.thesis.notesPLen
ucalgary.thesis.uarcreleasenoen
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
thesis_Saklofske_1973.pdf
Size:
73.77 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Collections