INFLUENCE OF LATERAL ORGANIZATION ON THE EVALUATION OF PAINTINGS

This study examines influence of directional properties of lateral organization on evaluation of paintings. Lateral organization, as defined here, has two dimensions: (1) left or right location of principal figure; and (2) left‐to‐right or right‐to‐left sequence of figures represented by direction of suggested movement, action, or lines. That previous studies have failed to demonstrate consistently a relationship between evaluations and directional properties is attributed to methodological shortcomings involving lack of control of stimulus properties and exposure time. Here, on basis of a well‐defined judging procedure, paintings were distinguished according to whether each dimension of lateral organization depicted one or more than one direction. Under two exposure conditions, 5 and 20 s, three evaluations (general preference, balance, and dynamics) were made for paintings which were presented simultaneously in artist‐created, original view, and mirror‐image, reversed view. It was found that evaluations were influenced by directional properties (sequence of figures) with a 5 s exposure and by more inclusive formal features with a 20 s exposure. Implications of findings for perception and aesthetics are considered. 1979 The British Psychological Society