We like what experts like—and what is expensive

We like what experts like -- and what is expensive
Matthew Pelowski (left) and Michael Forster (right) from the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Vienna during the research for their study. Credit: Copyright: Helmut Leder, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna

Whether Peter Paul Rubens or Damien Hirst – the personal taste of art can be argued. Scientists from the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Vienna have now shown that the individual taste of art is also dependent on social factors. The personal valuation of art was influenced by who else liked the work - or not. And even the value of a painting strengthened the subjective feeling of how much a work of art appeals to us. The study was recently published in the international journal Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts.

Together with colleagues from the University of Copenhagen, Matthew Pelowski and Michael Forster from the Department of Basic Psychological Research and Research Methods at the University of Vienna have observed the influence of social and financial contextual information on the pleasures of art. The focus was on the question whether the purchase price, the prestige of a gallery or the socioeconomic status and educational status of other persons have an influence on the .

We like what experts or peers like - and what is expensive

During the study, students assessed a series of paintings according to personal pleasure. Before the presentation, the participants learned that certain had already seen and evaluated the works before them. These included either peers (fellow university students), experts (museum curators at respected museums), or a group of similarly aged university dropouts who were currently unemployed and long-time social security recipients. The results were then compared with a control group that had evaluated the images without social context information.

"Results showed that when participants thought that either experts or their peers liked a painting, they also liked it more", says Pelowski. "However, when they thought that the unemployed dropouts didn't like a painting, participants went in the opposite direction and said that they liked it more."

In a second study, the researchers also showed that telling participants the (fictitious) sales price of a painting at an art auction, significantly changed the way they rated art. Very low prices made participants like art less, very high prices made them like art more.

Art is used to show allegiance to desirable social groups

"These results provide empirical support for a 'social distinction' theory, first introduced by the French Sociologist and Philosopher Pierre Bourdieu," explains Pelowski. "According to how we use our evaluation and engagement with art in order to show allegiance to, or distance ourselves from, desirable or undesirable social groups." Both studies also have important implications for museums, suggesting that the context can affect how we see art.

More information: Jon O. Lauring et al, Well, if they like it... Effects of social groups' ratings and price information on the appreciation of art., Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts (2016). DOI: 10.1037/aca0000063

Citation: We like what experts like—and what is expensive (2016, November 30) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-11-experts-likeand-expensive.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Other people are less attention-grabbing to the wealthy

0 shares

Feedback to editors