A Shared Affinity for Complexity: Exploring Cross-Modal Aesthetic Experiences

Previous studies have suggested human preference for artworks with greater image complexity. Here we aim to further explore the impact of complexity on aesthetic experiences in both visual and auditory domains. Twenty-eight college students were tasked with viewing pairs of abstract paintings by Ely Raman and indicating their preference using a two-alternative forced choice procedure. Following this, they listened to Western tonal music for five seconds and completed a simple choice reaction task. A longer reaction time was taken as an indication of greater immersion in the music and, consequently, a stronger preference. Our findings confirmed a preference for complexity in both visual and auditory modalities. Additionally, a notable correlation was observed between the inclination towards complexity in the visual domain and that in the auditory domain, lending support to the Taste Typicality as an explanation for aesthetic experiences.