Abstract
Art exploration is a complex process conditioned by factors at different levels and
includes both basic visual principles and complex cognitive factors. The human figure is
considered a critical factor attracting the attention in art painting. Using an eye-tracking
methodology, the goal of this study was to explore different elements of the human
figure performing an action (face and body parts in action) in complex social scenes
characterized by different levels of social interaction between agents depicted in scenes
(individual vs. social). The sample included 44 laypersons, and the stimuli consisted of
10 fine art paintings representing the figurative style of classical art. The results revealed
different scanning patterns of the human figure elements related to the level of social
interaction of agents depicted in the scene. The agents’ face attracted eye movements
in social interaction scenes while the agents’ body parts attracted eye movements only
when the agents were involved in individual actions. These processes were confirmed
specifically in participants with high empathic abilities who became immediately fixated
on faces to develop a mimetic engagement with other agents. Future studies integrating
other measures would help confirm the results obtained and strengthen their implication
for embodiment processes.
Lingua originale | English |
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pagine (da-a) | 1-10 |
Numero di pagine | 10 |
Rivista | Frontiers in Psychology |
DOI | |
Stato di pubblicazione | Pubblicato - 2015 |
Keywords
- face, body parts, visual exploring patterns, complex social scenes, empathic abilities