Critically Discuss The Role Of Evolution In Aesthetic Preference, Based On At Least 2 Studies From The Lectures

Question 1

Why does evolution play a role in our aesthetic preferences?

Answer 1

-Based on how quickly we form opinions on objects, suggesting its due to a primitive factor

-Bars and Neta (2006):
•looked at objects with curved and sharp contours. the objects were everyday neutral objects that only differed in edges, e.g. watch with round edge vs watch with sharp edge.
~PPs preferred curved edged objects

•Why?
~due to perceived threat of objects, e.g. knife is sharp and is threatening.
~sharp watched probably perceived as negative and threatening
~suggested due to limited time we have to perceive an object, we have adapted this way so the brain automatically sees a sharp edged object and perceives it as a threat to avoid any short term danger, whereas a curved object elicits less danger

Question 2

Facial aesthetic preferences

Answer 2

-Evolution plays a role in facial aesthetic preferences
•Scott et al (2014)
~people in urban and developed environments prefer typically masculine and feminine faces, whereas people in rural and less developed areas do not
~in agreement with Buss (1985)
-> men and women look for attractive partners are they are believed to have good genes that can be passed on to offspring

Question 3

Be cautious…

Answer 3

-Theories are based on results, not the other way round
•results and theories will match and make sense instead of theories being proved and disproved

-A lot of studies are culturally dependent, like Scott et al (2014)
•Results of cultural independence are rare, makes it harder to suggest behaviours have evolved without being culturally influenced