Empirical aesthetics focuses on understanding how perceptual features shape aesthetic preferences, with symmetry being a key aspect. However, recent studies show variation in symmetry preference across samples and stimuli. Our study aims to explore the boundaries of symmetry preference, particularly in relation to meaning, prototypicality and expertise in visual arts. With our stimuli we can test the comparative dominance of these features. In our forced-choice preference task (N = 196), we manipulated images for symmetry, meaning, and prototypicality. Findings reveal that symmetry preference is only remarkable in meaningless images among non-experts. Instead, meaningfulness emerged as a significant factor influencing their aesthetic preferences. Experts show no distinct preference for symmetry or meaningfulness. However, prototypicality is favoured by both groups in meaningful stimuli, regardless of symmetry. These results highlight the dominance of meaning in aesthetic experience and underscore the complex interplay between symmetry, meaning, and expertise in visual arts.

中文翻译：

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专业性聚光灯下的对称性和意义


实证美学侧重于理解感知特征如何塑造审美偏好，对称性是一个关键方面。然而，最近的研究表明，样本和刺激的对称偏好存在差异。我们的研究旨在探索对称偏好的界限，特别是与视觉艺术的意义、原型性和专业知识有关。通过我们的刺激，我们可以测试这些特征的相对优势。在我们的强制选择偏好任务 （N = 196） 中，我们操纵了图像的对称性、意义和原型性。研究结果表明，对称性偏好仅在非专家的无意义图像中显着。相反，意义成为影响他们审美偏好的重要因素。专家们对对称性或意义没有明显的偏好。然而，无论对称性如何，两组在有意义的刺激中都倾向于原型性。这些结果突出了意义在审美体验中的主导地位，并强调了视觉艺术中的对称性、意义和专业知识之间的复杂相互作用。