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The Pleasantness of Visual Symmetry: Always, Never or Sometimes

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  • Anna Pecchinenda
  • Marco Bertamini
  • Alexis David James Makin
  • Nicole Ruta

Abstract

There is evidence of a preference for visual symmetry. This is true from mate selection in the animal world to the aesthetic appreciation of works of art. It has been proposed that this preference is due to processing fluency, which engenders positive affect. But is visual symmetry pleasant? Evidence is mixed as explicit preferences show that this is the case. In contrast, implicit measures show that visual symmetry does not spontaneously engender positive affect but it depends on participants intentionally assessing visual regularities. In four experiments using variants of the affective priming paradigm, we investigated when visual symmetry engenders positive affect. Findings showed that, when no Stroop-like effects or post-lexical mechanisms enter into play, visual symmetry spontaneously elicits positive affect and results in affective congruence effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Pecchinenda & Marco Bertamini & Alexis David James Makin & Nicole Ruta, 2014. "The Pleasantness of Visual Symmetry: Always, Never or Sometimes," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(3), pages 1-10, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0092685
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092685
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marco Bertamini & Alexis Makin & Anna Pecchinenda, 2013. "Testing Whether and When Abstract Symmetric Patterns Produce Affective Responses," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(7), pages 1-1, July.
    2. Valentin Gattol & Maria Sääksjärvi & Claus-Christian Carbon, 2011. "Extending the Implicit Association Test (IAT): Assessing Consumer Attitudes Based on Multi-Dimensional Implicit Associations," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(1), pages 1-11, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ronen, Joshua & Ronen, Tavy & Zhou, Mi (Jamie) & Gans, Susan E., 2023. "The informational role of imagery in financial decision making: A new approach," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 40(C).
    2. Lacoste-Badie, Sophie & Gagnan, Arnaud Bigoin & Droulers, Olivier, 2020. "Front of pack symmetry influences visual attention," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).

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