Préférences esthétiques et personnalité - article ; n°1 ; vol.58, pg 45-69

L'année psychologique - Année 1958 - Volume 58 - Numéro 1 - Pages 45-69
Summary
The results in generai indicate that the subjects tend to project themselves in their choice of pictures. People like in a picture the representation of situations or moods which correspond to their own expressed tendencies and dislike the expression of feelings that they try to repress in themselves. Compensation rarely occurs.
It was found that the practical type of person preferred the naturalistic representation of things. The introvert person preferred modem and more abstract paintings. The expansive or manic character disliked rigid forms, but specially liked emotional expression in the pictures. The sociable personality rejected pictures with rigid forms and order.
These relationships are consistent with an explanation in terms of a transfer of cathexis from the real object to the picture. To an active orientation toward the world and people corresponds an attraction towards the realistic representation of objects and people. To a passive, subjective attitude corresponds a preference for the world of phantasy of contemporary schools of painting. Subjects who control thesir agressivity and their emotions reject the representation of agressive scenes or emotional effect in the pictures. People who are looking for warmth in personal contacts reject coldness and rigidity in the pictures. A relationship between preference for good form and introversion seems also to have appeared, independently of the subjects' color preferences, and might express an intolerance for ambiguity in perception.
Where comparison was possible, the results tended to agree with those of previous research in the same field. Some apparently well established relations on which the studies agree might be summarized as follows : stable introverts like peaceful scenes and dislike any overt appeal to their feelings. Liking for paintings with straight line strokes indicates an assertive attitude in social relationships while preference for curves corresponds to a more affectionate disposition toward people. Neatness and order in paintings is appreciated by people who are self-controlled while impulsive people prefer the life-like impression obtained by the use of hasty strokes. Liking for movement usually correlates with lack of restraint or inhibition, self-assertion and drive. Emotionality is generally manifested by a preference for paintings expressing a definite mood.
25 pages
Source : Persée ; Ministère de la jeunesse, de l’éducation nationale et de la recherche, Direction de l’enseignement supérieur, Sous-direction des bibliothèques et de la documentation.