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Processing fluency and aesthetic pleasure: Is beauty in the perceiver’s processing experience?
- PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW
, 2004
"... We propose that aesthetic pleasure is a funnction of the perceiver s processing dynam-ics: The more fluently perceivers can process an object, the more positive their aes-thetic response. We review variables known to influence aesthetic judgments, such as figural goodness, figure-ground contrast, st ..."
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Cited by 140 (12 self)
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We propose that aesthetic pleasure is a funnction of the perceiver s processing dynam-ics: The more fluently perceivers can process an object, the more positive their aes-thetic response. We review variables known to influence aesthetic judgments, such as figural goodness, figure-ground contrast, stimulus repetition, symmetry, and pro-totvpicalitv, and trace their effects to changes in processing fluency. Other variables that influence processingfluency like visual or semantic priming, similarly increase judgments of aesthetic pleasure. Our proposal provides an integrative framework for the study of aesthetic pleasure and sheds light on the interplay between early prefer-ences versus cultural influences on taste, preferences for both prototypical and ab-stracted forms, and the relation between beauty and truth. In contrast to theories that trace aesthetic pleasure to objective stimulus features per se, we propose that beauty is grounded in the processing experiences of the perceiver which are in part afunc-tion ofstimulus properties. What is beauty? What makes for a beautiful face, appealing painting, pleasing design, or charming scenery? This question has been debated for at least 2,500 years and has been given a wide variety of answers (Feagin, 1995; Tatarkiewicz, 1970). However, one can broadly distinguish three main positions. Many theorists, dating back at least to Plato, saw beauty as a property of an object that produces a plea-surable experience in any suitable perceiver (Tatar-
Mind at ease puts a smile on the face: Psychophysiological evidence that processing facilitation increases positive affect
- Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
, 2001
"... The affect system, in its position to monitor organismic—environmental transactions, may be sensitive to the internal dynamics of information processing. Hence, the authors predicted that facilitation of stimulus processing should elicit a brief, mild, positive affective response. In 2 studies, part ..."
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Cited by 127 (12 self)
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The affect system, in its position to monitor organismic—environmental transactions, may be sensitive to the internal dynamics of information processing. Hence, the authors predicted that facilitation of stimulus processing should elicit a brief, mild, positive affective response. In 2 studies, participants watched a series of neutral pictures while the processing ease was unobtrusively manipulated. Affective reactions were assessed with facial electromyography (EMG). In both studies, easy-to-process pictures elicited higher activity over the region of zygomaticus major, indicating positive affect. The EMG data were paralleled by self-reports of positive responses to the facilitated stimuli. The findings suggest a close link between processing dynamics and affect and may help understand several preference phenomena, including the mere-exposure effect. The findings also highlight a potential source of affective biases in social judgments. Basic evaluative processes have long been of interest to psychologists. Such processes are central for theorists interested in attitudes ( Eagly & Chaiken, 1998; Petty & Wegener, 1998), emotion
Mindfulness meditation improves cognition: Evidence of brief mental training.
- Consciousness and Cognition,
, 2010
"... a b s t r a c t Although research has found that long-term mindfulness meditation practice promotes executive functioning and the ability to sustain attention, the effects of brief mindfulness meditation training have not been fully explored. We examined whether brief meditation training affects co ..."
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Cited by 34 (0 self)
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a b s t r a c t Although research has found that long-term mindfulness meditation practice promotes executive functioning and the ability to sustain attention, the effects of brief mindfulness meditation training have not been fully explored. We examined whether brief meditation training affects cognition and mood when compared to an active control group. After four sessions of either meditation training or listening to a recorded book, participants with no prior meditation experience were assessed with measures of mood, verbal fluency, visual coding, and working memory. Both interventions were effective at improving mood but only brief meditation training reduced fatigue, anxiety, and increased mindfulness. Moreover, brief mindfulness training significantly improved visuo-spatial processing, working memory, and executive functioning. Our findings suggest that 4 days of meditation training can enhance the ability to sustain attention; benefits that have previously been reported with long-term meditators.
Toward a cognitive neuroscience of metacognition [comment
- Consciousness and Cognition
"... The relationship between metacognition and executive control is explored. According to an analysis by Fernandez-Duque, Baird, and Posner (this issue), metacognitive regulation involves attention, conflict resolution, error correction, inhibitory control, and emotional regulation. These aspects of me ..."
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Cited by 30 (1 self)
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The relationship between metacognition and executive control is explored. According to an analysis by Fernandez-Duque, Baird, and Posner (this issue), metacognitive regulation involves attention, conflict resolution, error correction, inhibitory control, and emotional regulation. These aspects of metacognition are presumed to be mediated by a neural circuit involving midfrontal brain regions. An evaluation of the proposal by Fernandez-Duque et al. is made, and it is suggested that there is considerable convergence of issues associated with metacognition, executive control, working memory, and frontal lobe function. By integrating these domains and issues, significant progress could be made toward a cognitive neuroscience of metacognition. ª 2000 Academic Press Metacognition refers to evaluation and control of one’s cognitive processes. In this way, metacognition often suggests conscious or volitional control of thoughts, memories, and actions. Early research in this area focused on metamemory—the eval-uation of memory processes (e.g., tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon, feeling of know-ing) and awareness of mnemonic strategies that could facilitate remembering (see Nelson, 1992). Much of this work was sparked by developmental studies in which the
Knowledge elaboration: A cognitive load perspective
, 2009
"... The process of knowledge elaboration is considered from the perspective of cognitive load theory. This theory assumes that the available knowledge structures in long-term memory (LTM) are used to organize and guide cognitive processing in complex learning. Accordingly, the role of external instructi ..."
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Cited by 11 (0 self)
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The process of knowledge elaboration is considered from the perspective of cognitive load theory. This theory assumes that the available knowledge structures in long-term memory (LTM) are used to organize and guide cognitive processing in complex learning. Accordingly, the role of external instructional guidance in the process of knowledge elaboration could be described as providing a substitute for knowledge structures missing from LTM. Thus, the executive guidance in complex learning environments is shared between the person (based on his/her LTM knowledge structures) and another expert or instructional means. This article analyzes instructional implications of this assumption. Adaptive learning environments are suggested for tailoring knowledge elaboration processes to changing characteristics of individual learners. Means for identifying and predicting the learner’s LTM-based executive guidance are proposed so that they can be utilized in the building of adaptive learning environments.
Irrational wanting and subrational liking: How rudimentary motivational and affective processes shape preferences and choices
- Political Psychology
, 2003
"... People's wanting and liking reactions reflect not only high-level beliefs, but also the operation of rudimentary biopsychological processes. Previous studies suggest that the following wanting and liking processes may be relevant to political behavior Citizens participate in the political proc ..."
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Cited by 10 (3 self)
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People's wanting and liking reactions reflect not only high-level beliefs, but also the operation of rudimentary biopsychological processes. Previous studies suggest that the following wanting and liking processes may be relevant to political behavior Citizens participate in the political process not only with their heads, but also their hearts. They are either enthusiastic about candidates or disgusted by them, engaged in or indifferent to elected officials' decisions, trusting or afraid of the government, passionate about social justice or hateful toward certain groups, hopeful or scared about the future, "mad as hell" or confident about the economy. Social scientists who appreciate these observations have long been interested in understanding the functions of emotion and motivation in political behavior In this paper we offer some insights into the role of the "heart" in political behavior from our research on core psychological and physiological mechanisms underlying emotion and motivation. We propose that core affective and motivational mechanisms produce phenomena that cannot be fully explained by traditional frameworks emphasizing rational considerations of attributes, values, expectations, and needs
Metaphor comprehension in Alzheimer’s disease: Novelty matters
- Brain & Language
, 2008
"... Abstract The comprehension of non-literal language was investigated in 20 probable Alzheimer's disease (pAD) patients by comparing their performance to that of 20 matched control subjects. pAD patients were unimpaired in the comprehension of conventional metaphors and idioms. However, their pe ..."
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Cited by 9 (0 self)
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Abstract The comprehension of non-literal language was investigated in 20 probable Alzheimer's disease (pAD) patients by comparing their performance to that of 20 matched control subjects. pAD patients were unimpaired in the comprehension of conventional metaphors and idioms. However, their performance was significantly lower in the case of non-conventional (novel) metaphor comprehension. This ability was not related to global cognitive deterioration or to deficits in the cognitive domains of attention, memory and language comprehension. On the other hand, the impairment in verbal reasoning appeared to be relevant for both novel and conventional metaphor comprehension. The relationship between novel metaphor comprehension and performance in the visual-spatial planning task of the Behavioral Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS) suggests that executive impairment, possibly related to prefrontal dysfunction, may be responsible for the pAD patients' poor performance in novel metaphor comprehension. The present findings suggest a role of the prefrontal cortex in novel metaphor comprehension.
Altered emotional processing in pediatric Anxiety, Depression, and comorbid Anxiety-Depression.
- Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology,
, 2005
"... The goal of this study was to examine some of the mechanisms underlying emotion regulation in childhood affective disorders by examining the impact of distracting emotional information during performance on a working memory task ("Emotional n-back" or E-n-back). The sample included 75 chi ..."
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Cited by 8 (1 self)
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The goal of this study was to examine some of the mechanisms underlying emotion regulation in childhood affective disorders by examining the impact of distracting emotional information during performance on a working memory task ("Emotional n-back" or E-n-back). The sample included 75 children (38 girls and 37 boys) between 8 and 16 years of age meeting criteria for: Anxiety disorder (ANX, n = 17), Major depressive disorder (MDD, n = 16), Comorbid anxiety and depression (CAD, n = 24), or Low-risk normal control (LRNC, n = 18). Results showed that the MDD and CAD groups had significantly longer reaction times on negative emotional backgrounds compared to neutral backgrounds, whereas the LRNC group had significantly longer reaction times on positive backgrounds. These results suggest altered processing of emotional information particularly associated with depression. Because the E-n-back task engages higher-order cognitive processes, these results suggest that these alterations in processing emotional information also interfere with the cognitive processes that govern how attentional resources are allocated. Further, research is needed to replicate this study and delineate underlying neural mechanisms. KEY WORDS: children; adolescents; anxiety; depression; emotional processing. Pediatric anxiety and depression are highly comorbid disorders with significant lifetime morbidity and mortality Information processing models have been proposed to explain these maladaptive changes of emotion regulation in affective disorders by focusing primarily on the cognitive aspects of emotional processing
Self-regulation after traumatic brain injury: A framework for intervention of memory and problem solving
- Seminars in Speech and Language
, 2005
"... Self-regulation of behavior is mediated by the frontal lobes and commonly disrupted after a traumatic brain injury. The rehabilitation field is only now beginning to understand self-regulation as a set of dynamic relationships between metacognitive beliefs and knowledge, ongoing self-monitoring or s ..."
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Cited by 8 (2 self)
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Self-regulation of behavior is mediated by the frontal lobes and commonly disrupted after a traumatic brain injury. The rehabilitation field is only now beginning to understand self-regulation as a set of dynamic relationships between metacognitive beliefs and knowledge, ongoing self-monitoring or self-assessment during activities, and self-control (i.e., strategy decisions). This article provides a framework for understanding self-regulated learning and problem solving, along with a summary of the existing intervention literature. We conclude by providing clinicians with principles that emphasize accurate self-monitoring and explicit instruction to connect self-monitoring to strategy decisions. KEYWORDS:Metacognition, executive functions, self-monitoring, self-control, learning, generalization, strategy instruction Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this article, the reader will be able to (1) define the component parts of self-regulation and describe the relationships among the components; (2) identify ways to obtain information
Electrophysiological dissociation of picture versus word encoding: Understanding the distinctiveness heuristic as a retrieval orientation
- Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience
, 2005
"... & Event-related potentials (ERPs) were used to investigate the neural processes underlying the distinctiveness heuristic— a response mode in which participants expect to remember vivid details of an experience and make recognition decisions based on this metacognitive expectation. One group of p ..."
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Cited by 8 (3 self)
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& Event-related potentials (ERPs) were used to investigate the neural processes underlying the distinctiveness heuristic— a response mode in which participants expect to remember vivid details of an experience and make recognition decisions based on this metacognitive expectation. One group of participants studied pictures and auditory words; another group studied visual and auditory words. Studied and novel items were presented at test as words only, with all novel items repeating after varying lags. ERP differences were seen between the word and picture groups for both studied and novel items. For the novel items, ERP differences were largest in frontal and central midline electrodes. In separate analyses, the picture group showed the greatest ERP differences between item types in a parietally based component from 550 to 1000 msec, whereas the word group showed the greatest differences in a frontally based component from 1000 to 2000 msec. The authors suggest that the distinctiveness heuristic is a retrieval orientation that facilitates reliance upon recollection to differentiate between item types. Although the picture group can use this heuristic and its retrieval orientation on the basis of recollection, the word group must engage additional postretrieval processes to distinguish between item types, reflecting the use of a different retrieval orientation. &
