This open access neuroaesthetics textbook, the first in the world, is designed for teaching a semester module (14 meetings) to undergraduate/masters students from both the sciences and the humanities. Written in a style that appeals to humanities students without prior science training, and to science students without prior humanities training, the textbook contains 6 Units, material for an introductory class, and summative comments to be discussed in a closing meeting. Each Unit comprises an overview designed as student home reading, a lecture, and a lab. The labs contain detailed step-by-step instructions for running a basic experiment and analysing the collected data, that can be easily implemented in humanities and science departments alike. The textbook introduces students to philosophical considerations of neuroaesthetics topics in context of the history of empirical aesthetics, showcases experimental approaches to the empirical study of dance, the visual arts, and music, and supports hands-on training in experimental research methods.
Author(s): Tudor Balinisteanu; Kerry Priest
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Year: 2024
Language: English
Pages: 296
Contents
Editors and Contributors
About the Editors
Contributors
List of Figures
List of Tables
Foreword: Aesthetics and Neuroaesthetics
References
Introduction: Representative Foci in Neuroaesthetics—Subjectivist, Objectivist, and Interactionist Perspectives
The Objectivist View
The Subjectivist View
The Interactionist View
References
Unit 1 Overview: A Critical Assessment of Neuroaesthetics as Experimental Science—Chances, Challenges, Required Commitments
Preamble: A Late But Sustainable Development of Neuroaesthetics
Chances: What We Can Learn from Neuroaesthetics
Challenges: Where We Struggle with the Complexities and Specifics of Aesthetics
Commitments: Contextualize Neuroaesthetic Research
Conclusion
Outlook
References
Unit 1 Lesson: Behavioural Experiments—Research Designs, Statistical Power, Sample Size Case Study: Empathy and Closeness in Partnered Dance
What Is a Science Experiment?
What Is a Science Laboratory?
What/Who Is in a Lab Space?
What Is a Research Design?
Types of Research Designs
Stimuli
Between-Subjects and Within-Subjects Designs
Statistical Power, Significance, and Sample Size
References
Unit 1 Lab: Data Collection and Analysis—Repeated-Measures (Mixed) ANOVA and Factorial ANOVA Using SPSS Case Study: Empathy and Closeness in Partnered Dance
References
Unit 2 Overview: Neuroaesthetics Approaches to the Visual Arts—Perception Focus Topic: CGI-Generated Creative Content and Artificial Intelligence
Emotions, Cognition, and Aesthetic Experience
The Beauty of Art—Paintings and Visual Composition
Perceptual Responses to CGI Artworks
Perception of Hyperrealistic Digital CGI
The Outcomes of Realistic-Looking Avatars
Conclusion
References
Unit 2 Lesson: Portraits as Faces
References
Unit 2 Lab: Portraits as Faces
Unit 3 Overview: Neuroaesthetics Approaches to the Visual Arts—Creation
References
Unit 3 Lesson: Using Reaction Time and Mixed Models
A Model of Face Proportions
Outlier Analysis
The Format of a Mixed Effects Model
Evaluating the Model
Interpreting the Results
Summary
Literatures
Unit 3 Lab: Gender and Prototypes
Goals
Preparatory Activities
Analyzing Prototypes
Summary
Unit 4 Overview: Symmetry Research in Neuroaesthetics
What Is Symmetry and Where It Can Be Found
Symmetry in Nature
Symmetry in Human Activities
Symmetry as Subject of Analyses and Research
Scientific Approaches in the Study of Symmetry Preference and Neural Processing of Symmetry
References
Unit 4 Lesson: Why Is en face Associated with Holiness?
Introduction
Neurobiological and Evolutionary Aspects on Preferences of Face and Gaze Direction
References
Unit 4 Lab: Create Your Own Association Graphs and Correspondence Analysis Using R
Further Reading
Unit 5 Overview: The Neuroaesthetics of Music
Introduction
A Historical Overview of Neuroaesthetics of Music
From Neuroscience to Neuroaesthetics of Music
Emotions in Musical Experience
How Does Music Generate Emotions?
Areas Involved in High-Level Temporal Sequencing
Sensory Dissonance
The Musical Preference and Aesthetic Experience
Musical Expectancies
Do Musicians and Non-Musicians Respond Differently to Musical Sounds?
Shortcomings and Deficits in Study of Neuroaesthetics of Music
The Epilogue
References
Unit 5 Lesson: A Very Brief Introduction to Neuroimaging
Preface
From Neurons to Networks
Neurons and Neurotransmitters
The Cortex
Structural and Functional Brain Organisation
Neuroimaging
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
The BOLD Signal
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Task-Related fMRI
Resting State fMRI
Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)
Variability and Reliability
Conclusion
References
Unit 5 Additional Lecture: Blurred Lives—Cognition and Feelings in Human–AI Interactions
Introduction
About Artificial Intelligence
The Problem of Artificial Brains
Knowing Humans Better Than They Know Themselves
Artificial Friends
Relationships with Artificial Beings
Conclusion
References
Unit 6 Overview: The Practice of Neuroaesthetics
Introduction
Definitions of Neuroaesthetics and PBL
Benefits of Using PBL in Academia and Humanities Research
Challenges of Using PBL in the Classroom
PBL, Artistic Practice, and Collaborative Applications
Collaborating with a Neuroscientist: An Example of Artistic and Scientific Interdisciplinarity in Action
Copyrights, Ethics, and Permissions as a ‘Problem’ in PBL Collaborative Process
New Forms of Knowledge in PBL Collaborative Projects
Final Considerations on PBL Usage
References
Unit 6 Lesson: Coordination Techniques of Instructive-Educational Activities in the Field of Neuroaesthetics Using Problem-Based Learning (PBL)
Introduction: Learning Theories
Learning Is Constructive
Learning Is Collaborative
Learning Is Contextual
Learning Is Self-Directed
Stimulating the Involvement of Educators in the PBL Approach
Specific Assessment Methods to Test the Acquisition of Both Knowledge and Skills and Abilities
References
Unit 6 LAB: PBL in Neuroaesthetics Case Study: Strategizing the Use of Relevant Research Methods
Methods in Neuroaesthetics
Method
Predictive Processing (PP)
Diptych—Use of Metaphor
References
Summative Comments: What Is Neuroaesthetics?
References
Correction to: Neuroaesthetics
Correction to: Chapters 3 and 9 in: T. Balinisteanu and K. Priest (eds.), Neuroaesthetics, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-42323-9
Grading Scale
Elaborated by Tudor Balinisteanu
Index
