COGNITIVE SCIENCE OF ART: HOW NEURAL NETWORKS HELP US BETTER UNDERSTAND AESTHETIC PREFERENCES

Abstract. The cognitive science of art involves the use of neural networks to analyze aesthetic preferences and understand the relationship between cognitive processes and art. This research investigates the basic principles and methods of analyzing aesthetic preferences using neural networks and how these methods can be applied in various fields such as design, marketing, and advertising. The study explores topics related to aesthetics perception theory, cognitive processes related to aesthetic perception, emotional regulation, cultural differences in aesthetic preferences, and the use of artificial intelligence to predict aesthetic preferences. Theoretical foundations of cognitive art science based on cognitive psychology concepts such as attention, memory, imagination, and thinking are also examined. The findings of this research are relevant to understanding how people perceive and evaluate art and can lead to new discoveries and innovations in various fields.

Keywords: cognitive science of art, neural networks, aesthetics perception theory, emotional regulation, cultural differences, artificial intelligence.
 

Introduction

Theme of this scientific work is "The Cognitive Science of Art: How Neural Networks Allow Us to Better Understand Aesthetic Preferences". Relevance of this topic is proved by several reasons:  artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent in our lives, application of AI in the field of art is becoming increasingly significant. The use of neural networks for analyzing aesthetic preferences helps us understand how the human brain works in the process of perceiving and evaluating art, as well as help create more effective tools for creation and promotion of artistic works. The Cognitive Science of Art may play an important role in understanding the relationship between science and art, for example: “How art affects our lives and how we perceive it”.

This topic has practical significance for various areas related to art, including design, marketing, and advertising. Neural networks can help identify trends and understand needs of your target audience, which can be useful in developing art-related products and services.

The aim of this study is to investigate the possibilities of using neural networks for analyzing aesthetic preferences and understanding the relationship between cognitive science of art and artificial intelligence. The following objectives were set to achieve this goal:

• To study the basic principles and methods of analyzing aesthetic preferences using neural networks;

• To investigate which aspects of art can be analyzed using neural networks;

• To study the relationship between aesthetic preferences and cognitive processes in the brain;

• To assess the applicability of the research results in practice, including for design, marketing, and advertising.

In the field of cognitive science of art, numerous studies are conducted that help better understand how the perception and evaluation of art occur in the human brain. One of the key areas in this field is the study of the relationship between cognitive processes and aesthetic preferences, which can be facilitated through the use of neural networks. Below you can find topics that connected with theme of scientific work.

I. Aesthetics perception theory suggests that the perception and evaluation of art are based on the interaction between cognitive processes such as attention, perception, and memory, as well as emotional and motivational factors. It suggests that humans process information about art at multiple levels, ranging from simple characteristics of the work (such as color and shape) to higher levels such as meaning and context.[1]

II. The emotional aspect of aesthetic perception involves individuals' evaluation of art based on the emotions it elicits in them. For example, some works of art may elicit joy or enthusiasm, while others may evoke sadness or anxiety.[2]

III. Cognitive processes related to aesthetic perception include attention, memory, imagination, thinking, and speech. For example, attention can be directed towards specific aspects of a work of art, such as color or shape, while memory can help individuals remember and re-experience the artwork.[3]

IV. Artificial intelligence can be used to create algorithms that enable the evaluation and prediction of aesthetic preferences. For example, neural networks can be trained on a large amount of art data and then used to analyze new works of art. Such algorithms can be useful for artists and designers who want to create works that match people's aesthetic preferences.[4]

V. Art and emotional regulation: Some studies have shown that art can be used to regulate emotions in people. For example, some works of art can elicit emotions that help individuals cope with stress or depression. Art can also be used to improve mood and increase well-being.[5]

VI. Cultural differences in aesthetic preferences: Studies show that aesthetic preferences can vary depending on cultural differences. For example, in some cultures, works of art that are considered "simple" and "natural" are valued, while in others, more complex and ornate works are preferred. Studying cultural differences in aesthetic preferences can help us better understand how and why people evaluate art.[6]

These and other studies in the field of cognitive science are conducted to better understand how the human brain perceives and evaluates art, what processes occur at the level of neurons, and how these activities are related to our emotions, preferences, and sensations. Moreover, studies in cognitive art science might help to better understand how to create art that maximally corresponds to people's preferences and emotional needs.

Furthermore, studying the interaction between art and the brain in a special way lead to the development of new technologies and applications that can be used in various fields, including medicine, design, and education. For example, the use of virtual reality in combination with art is one of the effective methods of treating various mental disorders.Thus, research in the field of cognitive art science is relevant and important, as it might lead to new discoveries and innovations in various fields, as well as help to better understand people and their aesthetic preferences.

Theoretical Foundations of Cognitive Art Science

Cognitive psychology is one of the key directions in psychological research, which studies mental processes related to perception, thinking, memory, and problem-solving. In the context of art, cognitive psychology allows for the investigation of processes that occur in the human brain when interacting with works of art.

The main concepts of cognitive psychology that have found application in the study of art include the following:

Attention - in cognitive psychology, attention is defined as a mental process that allows one to focus on certain aspects of the surrounding world while ignoring everything else. In art, attention plays an important role as it allows the viewer to focus on certain elements of the artwork, such as lines, colors, or shapes.

Memory - cognitive psychology studies the processes related to the retention and reproduction of information. In the context of art, memory allows the viewer to retain information about the artwork and reproduce it in the future.

Emotions - cognitive psychology studies the mental processes related to emotional reactions to various stimuli. In the context of art, emotions play an important role as artworks often elicit strong emotional reactions from viewers.

Perception - cognitive psychology studies the processes related to the perception of information through the senses. In the context of art, perception allows the viewer to receive information about the artwork through sight and other senses.

The application of cognitive psychology concepts to the study of art allows for a better understanding of how the perception and evaluation of artworks occur. The concept of "aesthetic experience" is one of the key concepts in cognitive psychology and the study of art. According to this concept, aesthetic experience represents a special form of perception and evaluation of objects and situations related to art and beauty.

The components of aesthetic experience are:

Attention: a special attention that a person pays to objects and situations related to art. This attention can be directed towards various aspects of the object, such as colors, shapes, textures, composition, etc.

Sensations: emotional and sensory experiences that objects and situations related to art evoke. These sensations can be positive or negative, and they are often a key factor in evaluating the beauty and attractiveness of the object.

Cognitive processes: thinking processes that are involved in perceiving and evaluating objects and situations related to art. These processes include comparing objects with previous experiences, analyzing objects based on previously established criteria, making decisions, etc. Subjective experience: a personal attitude towards objects and situations related to art, which depends on individual preferences, experience, and mood. All of these components are interconnected and interact with each other in the process of aesthetic experience. Understanding these components helps to better understand how people perceive and evaluate art and beauty. The concept of perception and evaluation of art includes many theories that explain how people perceive and evaluate works of art. Let's look at some of them in more detail:

Evolutionary approach theory to aesthetic experience suggests that certain aspects of aesthetic experience are the result of evolution and are related to what contributed to the survival of our ancestors. For example, preference for certain colors may be linked to indicating the presence of certain types of food or danger.

Semiotics theory considers the perception of art as a process of interpreting symbols and signs that are contained within the artwork. Symbols and signs can have not only linguistic but also visual, auditory, and tactile meanings.

Emotional approach theory asserts that aesthetic experience is related to emotional experiences elicited by the artwork. For example, music can evoke an emotional response in the listener.

Gestalt theory views artwork as a holistic phenomenon, where not only the sum of individual elements but also their interaction and interrelation are important.

Cognitive load theory suggests that the perception of artwork depends on the amount of information that needs to be processed. If there is too much information, it leads to cognitive overload and makes perception difficult.

Social context theory asserts that our perception and evaluation of art are heavily influenced by social factors such as cultural norms, public opinion, and personal preferences.

Neural methods in studying aesthetic preferences

Neural networks are computer algorithms that attempt to simulate the workings of the brain. They consist of a multitude of interconnected neurons that process information conveyed to them through input data. Each neuron receives input data, performs some calculations, and transmits output data to other neurons. As a result of this process, the neural network creates a certain model that can be used for various tasks, including pattern recognition, data classification, and generating new data.

In cognitive science of art, neural networks are used to study aesthetic preferences and perception of art. For example, studies have shown that neural networks can be trained to recognize certain characteristics of art, such as color, shape, and composition, and use this knowledge to create new works of art.