Neil M. Kettlewell

The Effect of Subject Matter and Degree of Realism on Aesthetic Preferences for Paintings

A sample of 240 college students was shown color slides of fifty paintings and asked to rate each on a Likert scale as to perceived attractiveness. Ten different categories of subject matter were presented, and each category was shown in five different degrees of realism ranging from highly realistic to abstract. An analysis of variance showed highly significant effects for subject matter. degree of realism and their interaction. The results are seen as being contrary to what would be expected from a “relativist” position with respect to art but consistent with that expected from a “universalist” position.

Bilateral nictitating membrane conditioning in rabbits under asymmetrical levels of cutaneous afferent activity

Abstract The effect of asymmetrical levels of cutaneous afferent activity (CAA) on the performance of a bilaterally conditioned nictitating membrane response in New Zealand albino rabbits was investigated. Afferent activity levels were controlled by varying US locus, corneal applications of a local anesthetic (0.5% tetracaine hydrochloride) and by exerting mechanical tension on the eyelids. Performance of the response in each eye was controlled independently of the response levels concurrently attained by the contralateral eye. Appropriate tests suggested that the two eyes do not function independently in learning, regardless of the disparity in CAA level between them, due to central transfer.

An Examination of Preferences for Subject Matter in Painting

Two samples were used, college students and art museum attendees. Both groups were asked to rank order nine different areas of subject matter in painting in terms of personal preference. No visual examples of the suggested subject matter were provided, although brief descriptions were given when it was deemed necessary. Based on rankings, all samples and the male and female sub-samples of the student sample showed highly significant within and between groups differences. The findings are argued to be contrary to those expected by those holding a position of “relativism” with respect to art. The possibility of a dual system of aesthetics with respect to art judged for personal acquisition and abstract evaluation is discussed.

DIFFERENCES IN NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL CORRELATES BETWEEN NORMALS AND THOSE EXPERIENCING "OLD HAG ATTACKS"

240 university students were given The Cognitive Laterality Battery as well as a questionnaire, the answers to which were used to identify those who had experienced an “Old Hag Attack.” This refers to a hypnagogic sleep disorder in which there is paralysis and, quite often, terrifying hallucinations. Those suffering from this disorder showed a statistically significantly different profile of scores from normal subjects on The Cognitive Laterality Battery. The implications of this finding for existing theories concerning “Old Hag Attacks” are discussed.

Extinction in rabbits under different levels of cutaneous afferent activity

Abstract The nictitating membrane response of the rabbit was classically conditioned to tone, using a shock US, under a moderate level of cutaneous afferent activity (CAA). The CAA was controlled by mechanical, chemical and electrical means. In Experiment 1 the response in three groups of animals was extinguished under different levels of CAA. High levels were found to retard and low levels facilitate the disappearance of CRs during extinction. In Experiment 2 the possibility was investigated that one of the means used to raise CAA (e.g., the eyeband) might have produced a high spontaneous response rate. A 6% response level was observed but: (1) was of short duration; (2) was too small to account for group differences in the first experiment; and, (3) was not a significant factor in the statistical analysis of Experiment 1.

Effects of Contralateral Cutaneous Afferent Activity on Acquisition of a Nictitating Membrane Response

The effects of 2 different levels of contralateral cutaneous afferent activity on acquisition of the nictitating membrane response in 2 groups of rabbits was examined. Differences in the level of contralateral afferent activity from the primary response area were found to have no statistically significant effect on the acquisition rates of an ipsilaterally developed nictitating membrane response.

An Evaluation of University Students as a Model Population in Predicting Performing Arts Attendance

In the present study, attitudinal and behavioral variables were found using university students as subjects which predicted attendance for ballet, interpretative dance, theater, art museums, and symphonies. The equations developed were tested for predictive accuracy on patrons of the ballet. The equations were found to predict even greater amounts of the variance in the ballet sample than for the student sample with the exception of the theater. The extent of the variance predicted, in the areas previously studied, i.e., symphony and theater, increased vis-a-vis these studies. Overall, prediction of variance ranged from a low of 44 percent to a high of 57 percent based on the performing arts group studied.

The effect of cutaneous afferent activity on instrumental learning in rabbits.

Abstract The nictitating membrane response was trained in rabbits by two methods: (a) an instrumental escape-avoidance paradigm, and (b) a yoked classical conditioning paradigm. The magnitude of cutaneous afferent activity (CAA) from the orbital region of the eye was controlled using mechanical and chemical means. Animals received training in both instrumental and classical conditions with augmented and diminished CAA. Diminished levels of CAA were found to depress learning in both training paradigms. Instrumental animals emitted more nictitating membrane responses than did the yoked classical controls under conditions of augmented CAA. It was concluded that the general importance of the role of CAA in learning was strengthened.

A balance panel, amplifier, and trigger device for nictitating membrane transducers

Description and circuit are provided for a balance panel, amplifier, and trigger device for nictitating membrane devices.

RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF FACTORS CONCERNING A CONTEMPORARY ARTIST'S BACKGROUND

This study investigated the importance of different factors or variables used by relatively naive people in judging the merits of a graphic artist. Subjects were university students who responded to a questionnaire in which they ranked 12 factors on importance in deciding the merit of an hypothetical artist. The analysis indicated that the rankings were not random and that ‘work shown in a museum’ was clearly the most persuasive indicator of merit. The ability of an artist to exercise some control over the perception of his work is discussed.