Shestova, M.A.

Background. An analysis of foreign literature covering the models of aesthetic experience (AE) revealed a number of limitations: the absence of nonlinear dynamics, multi-level processes and integration of personality traits; to overcome these limitations, we developed a System-Dynamic Model of AE (SDM-AE).

Objective. The aim is to conduct an empirical verification of the predictions of the SDM-AE, based on the material of new media art and non-academic erotic paintings.

Study Participants. The study involved 750 respondents aged from 16 to 38 years (MAge = 23.86; SD = 6.53), about 84% of them are women — students of Stroganov's University, Moscow Institute of Psychoanalysis and school students from Moscow.

Methods. The study engaged the structural equation modeling, as well as psychodiagnostics tools to measure the following constructs: aesthetic emotions, aesthetic judgments, art interest, aesthetic experience, engagement with beauty, attitudes towards technology, implicit theories of creativity and attitudes towards sex. Linear regression and mediation analyses were used to process the data.

Results. The mediation analysis showed that aesthetic judgments are mediating variables between attitudes towards sex, attitudes towards technology and aesthetic emotions, the integration of flow dispositions into SDM-AE is shown. Universal personal variables that are actualized regardless of the content of the material are revealed. It is shown that the AE of new media art directly predicts a positive attitude towards technology, aesthetic responsiveness and contributes to the development of implicit theories of creativity.

Conclusions. Empirical verification of the SDM-EO allows us to conclude that the model is valid, and the results obtained contribute to the development of Russian psychology of art.