On the perceptual aesthetics of interactive objects

SORANZO, Alessandro, PETRELLI, Daniela, CIOLFI, Luigina and REIDY, John (2018). On the perceptual aesthetics of interactive objects. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 71 (12), 2586-2602.

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Abstract

In this paper we measured the aesthetics of interactive objects (IOs), which are three-dimensional physical artefacts that exhibit autonomous behaviour when ‎handled. The aim of the research was threefold: firstly, to investigate whether aesthetic preference for distinctive objects' structures emerges in compound stimulation; secondly, to explore whether there exists aesthetic preference for distinctive objects’ behaviours; and lastly, to test whether there exists aesthetic preference for specific combinations of objects' structures and behaviours. The following variables were systematically manipulated: 1) IOs’ contour (rounded vs. angular); 2) IOs’ size (small vs. large); 3) IOs’ surface texture (rough vs. smooth); and 4) IOs’ behaviour (Lighting, Sounding, Vibrating, and Quiescent). Results show that behaviour was the dominant factor: it influenced aesthetics more than any other characteristic; Vibrating IOs were preferred over Lighting and Sounding IOs, supporting the importance of haptic processing in aesthetics. Results did not confirm the size and smoothness effects previously reported in vision and touch respectively, which suggests that for the aesthetics preference that emerges in isolated conditions may be different in compound stimulation. Finally, results corroborate the smooth curvature effect.

Item Type:	Article
Research Institute, Centre or Group - Does NOT include content added after October 2018:	Psychology Research Group
Departments - Does NOT include content added after October 2018:	Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities > Department of Psychology, Sociology and Politics
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1177/1747021817749228
Page Range:	2586-2602
Depositing User:	Alessandro Soranzo
Date Deposited:	01 Dec 2017 14:33
Last Modified:	18 Mar 2021 07:07
URI:	https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/17426

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