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A kinetic ecological approach to beauty perception: a perspective review on the case of symmetry and the golden ratio
  • Marco Iosa,
  • Maria Pia Lucia,
  • Claudia Salera
Marco Iosa
University of Rome La Sapienza

Corresponding Author:marco.iosa@uniroma1.it

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Maria Pia Lucia
University of Rome La Sapienza Faculty of Psychology 1
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Claudia Salera
Santa Lucia Foundation
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Abstract

In the 1970s, the psychologist J.J. Gibson developed an “ecological approach to visual perception”, suggesting that humans perceive the environment exploiting environmental affordances - surrounding invariant features that define possible individuals-object interactions - without top-down mediation of cognitive processes. Shepard extended this approach, suggesting that common environmental features are internalized defining perceptual constraints, such as the circadian rhythm, three-dimensional space, and gravity. In this perspective review, we apply these concepts to neuroaesthetics and beauty perception, discussing how the internalization of in-variants may influence our perception of beauty. Within this framework, special emphasis was placed on symmetry and golden ratio, typically considered as two benchmarks for beauty, and two geometrical features that can be considered as environmental affordances. Moreover, we suggest that kinetic aspects play a role in beauty perception of these proportions, particularly by the internal model of gravity.
13 Sep 2024Submitted to European Journal of Neuroscience
17 Sep 2024Submission Checks Completed
17 Sep 2024Assigned to Editor
17 Sep 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
17 Sep 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned