Aesthetic emotions in light of research  into the psychology of music: a description and explanatory mechanisms. Cover Image

Emocje estetyczne w świetle badań psychologii muzyki: opis i mechanizmy wyjaśniające
Aesthetic emotions in light of research into the psychology of music: a description and explanatory mechanisms.

Author(s): Julia Kaleńska-Rodzaj
Subject(s): Music
Published by: Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne
Keywords: aesthetic emotions; aesthetic judgements; basic emotions; emotion induction mechanisms; music listening

Summary/Abstract: The main aim of this article is to review contemporary research on aesthetic emotions from the perspective of music psychology. By analyzing the results of research review in the broader theoretical context the author attempts to answer the question of the appropriateness of distinguishing a separate category of aesthetic emotions and musical aesthetic emotions. She concludes that despite the specific terminology used to describe aesthetic musical emotions (classification of aesthetic emotions by M. Zentner et al.), some specific induction mechanisms (a multi-level theory of emotion causation by P.N. Juslin) and functions fulfilled in the listener’s life, there is no clear evidence to distinguish musical aesthetic emotions as a separate category of emotions, and the term aesthetic emotions should be reserved only for the emotions arising as a result of the cognitive evaluation of the stimulus according the listener’s aesthetic criteria.

  • Issue Year: 2018
  • Issue No: 19 (28)
  • Page Range: 9-19
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: Polish