Differences in reactions to paintings by male and female college students

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2000

Publication Source

Perceptual and Motor Skills

Abstract

38 male and 55 female college students rated digitized color facsimiles of 40 paintings that varied in artistic period (Renaissance, Rococo, Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, 20th Century) and subject matter (portrait, landscape, still life, behavior depiction) on 12 7-point semantic differential scales, e.g., simple–complex. Women judged the content of Rococo and Impressionist paintings as more pleasing than did men and Impressionist paintings evoked greater feelings of pleasure and relaxation among women than among men. In addition, paintings that depicted behaviors evoked more pleasure and alertness among women than among men. The results were interpreted in terms of underlying differences between men and women in perceptual style and emotional sensitivity.

Inclusive pages

251-258

Volume

91

Issue

1

Peer Reviewed

yes

Keywords

Experimental Aesthetics, Gender Differences


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