Henrik Hogh-Olesen
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- September 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780190927929
- eISBN:
- 9780190927950
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780190927929.003.0006
- Subject:
- Psychology, Cognitive Psychology
Chapter 5 focuses on the human need for embellishment and artistic expression through song, dance, and music. Why do we do these things? Is it due to sexually selected behavioral traits, whereby ...
More
Chapter 5 focuses on the human need for embellishment and artistic expression through song, dance, and music. Why do we do these things? Is it due to sexually selected behavioral traits, whereby those who stand out and flaunt their special qualities are selected as partners and thus further their genetic heritage because the artistic energy they exhibit is reliable evidence of fitness, which lets the world know that these are good, strong genes exactly like the peacock’s tail? Or is it, rather, that we must understand these exertions through their collective value as social markers that unite us and inform the world that we are dealing with a close-knit group united by a shared mind-set? None of these functions need be mutually exclusive.Less
Chapter 5 focuses on the human need for embellishment and artistic expression through song, dance, and music. Why do we do these things? Is it due to sexually selected behavioral traits, whereby those who stand out and flaunt their special qualities are selected as partners and thus further their genetic heritage because the artistic energy they exhibit is reliable evidence of fitness, which lets the world know that these are good, strong genes exactly like the peacock’s tail? Or is it, rather, that we must understand these exertions through their collective value as social markers that unite us and inform the world that we are dealing with a close-knit group united by a shared mind-set? None of these functions need be mutually exclusive.
Henrik Hogh-Olesen
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- September 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780190927929
- eISBN:
- 9780190927950
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780190927929.003.0005
- Subject:
- Psychology, Cognitive Psychology
Chapter 4 looks at how key stimuli and brain programming affect our own species’ aesthetics and determine which shapes, colors, and landscapes humans are attracted to and consider beautiful. Like ...
More
Chapter 4 looks at how key stimuli and brain programming affect our own species’ aesthetics and determine which shapes, colors, and landscapes humans are attracted to and consider beautiful. Like other animals, people are predisposed to respond to certain key stimuli, which have been associated with an expectation of functionality, fitness, and increased well-being. In other words, the perception of beauty represents a strong internal indicator, which it pays to be guided by in order to gain various benefits. In this investigation, the chapter enters the micro-processes of artistic creation. It looks at the aesthetic effects that make up an artwork and at the understanding of why something captivates and fascinates people. The right embellishment can transform a trivial everyday object into an overwhelming power object—a kind of fetish that means the world to us and costs a fortune. How does something like this happen?Less
Chapter 4 looks at how key stimuli and brain programming affect our own species’ aesthetics and determine which shapes, colors, and landscapes humans are attracted to and consider beautiful. Like other animals, people are predisposed to respond to certain key stimuli, which have been associated with an expectation of functionality, fitness, and increased well-being. In other words, the perception of beauty represents a strong internal indicator, which it pays to be guided by in order to gain various benefits. In this investigation, the chapter enters the micro-processes of artistic creation. It looks at the aesthetic effects that make up an artwork and at the understanding of why something captivates and fascinates people. The right embellishment can transform a trivial everyday object into an overwhelming power object—a kind of fetish that means the world to us and costs a fortune. How does something like this happen?
