Two Routes for the Effect of Verbal Information on Liking Conceptual Art

Dual models of art processing propose two pathways for aesthetic liking: an early, perceptual route, and a higher order elaborative route. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of accompanying verbal information (descriptive vs. interpretive) and its relationship with the perceptual and elaborative routes in art appreciation, by systematically varying the way it was presented (simultaneous vs. sequential). While there was no difference under the sequential condition, when both the artwork and its accompanying information were presented at the same time descriptive texts were associated with lower liking scores in comparison with interpretive texts. Additionally, the positive effect of interpretive information was partially mediated by perceived comprehension. Overall, these results suggest that verbal information can influence aesthetic liking in a way consistent with the two-route explanation.