Friday, May 13, 2016

Unit 7: Neurosci + Art

As art has gained a larger impact over the world, researchers have grown curious as to how art affects various people in different ways which has lead to studying neuroscience and how brain development affects perception of artworks. In my opinion, all people see the exact same artwork in countless different ways. This inference of mine can be supported with the Rorschach picture tests.

http://suzanneanker.com/artwork/
The Rorschach test incorporates psychology, neuroscience, and art to truly understand the various ways artistic images can be seen (Framingham). A further study of the human brain by Suzanne Anker proved how the brain’s photoreceptor neurons play a major role in determining what the person is looking at. The “Rorschach-type” study used the concept of optical illusion to re-create the same butterfly 15 times but make the viewer think no butterfly picture was the same (Lecture 1).

http://emgn.com/entertainment/18-mind-bending-optical-illusions-that-will-make-you-question-what-is-real/
The psychological aspect also plays a role in determining how we interpret particular artistry. Freud believed that creativity is driven from the thoughts created unconsciously (Lecture 2). In other words, how instinct reaction to things drives an individuals perception of creativity. Therefore, the brain works with the nervous system to release neurochemicals—such as endorphins or serotonin—to establish a specific feeling or emotion in reaction to what the viewer is seeing (Lecture 3). It’s rather fascinating how the three can interlink and co-depend on each other to develop thee full cycle of receipt and response.

http://morbidanatomy.blogspot.com/2008_03_01_archive.html
Technology to understand the connection between neuroscience and art has grown significantly. Originating with Gall’s Phrenology and transitioning into electronic analysis of brain and neuron activity (Cohen), the technology developed to further understand a human’s psychology and creativity has truly progressed.


Framingham, Jane. "Rorschach Inkblot Test." Psych Central. 2015. Web. 14 May 2016. <http://psychcentral.com/lib/rorschach-inkblot-test/>.

Ucdesma. "Neuroscience-Mark Cohen.mov." YouTube. YouTube, 12 May 2012. Web. 14 May 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDq8uTROeXU>.

Uconlineprogram. "Neuroscience-pt1.mov." YouTube. YouTube, 17 May 2012. Web. 13 May 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzXjNbKDkYI>.

Uconlineprogram. "Neuroscience-pt2.mov." YouTube. YouTube, 17 May 2012. Web. 13 May 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFv4owX3MZo>.

Uconlineprogram. "Neuroscience Pt3." YouTube. YouTube, 16 May 2012. Web. 13 May 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5EX75xoBJ0>.

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