TY - JOUR

T1 - An Integrative and Comprehensive Methodology for Studying Aesthetic Experience in the Field

T2 - Merging Movement Tracking, Physiology, and Psychological Data

AU - Kirchberg, Volker

AU - Tröndle, Martin

AU - Greenwood, Steven

AU - Tschacher, Wolfgang

PY - 2014/1

Y1 - 2014/1

N2 - In the interdisciplinary context of the Swiss National Research Project eMotion-mapping museum experience, an integrative methodology for visitor research was developed. The goal was to investigate aesthetic experien-ces in the environment of a fine-arts museum. The methodology and technical setup merged different data levels (movement tracking data, heart rate and skin conductance, sociological variables, emotional and aesthetic evaluations of specific artworks) into one integrated data set. The merging was achieved online with high spatial and temporal resolution, using data gloves and a wireless network. This data set was used to generate information cartographies of visitors, visualizing their spatial behavior and physiological responses in the environment. In a field study with 576 museum visitors, the methodology was successfully implemented. Significant associations between physiology and aesthetic evaluations supported the validity of the cartographic representations; participants reported little reactivity toward the technical equipment. This methodology appears feasible for environmental behavior research in general.

AB - In the interdisciplinary context of the Swiss National Research Project eMotion-mapping museum experience, an integrative methodology for visitor research was developed. The goal was to investigate aesthetic experien-ces in the environment of a fine-arts museum. The methodology and technical setup merged different data levels (movement tracking data, heart rate and skin conductance, sociological variables, emotional and aesthetic evaluations of specific artworks) into one integrated data set. The merging was achieved online with high spatial and temporal resolution, using data gloves and a wireless network. This data set was used to generate information cartographies of visitors, visualizing their spatial behavior and physiological responses in the environment. In a field study with 576 museum visitors, the methodology was successfully implemented. Significant associations between physiology and aesthetic evaluations supported the validity of the cartographic representations; participants reported little reactivity toward the technical equipment. This methodology appears feasible for environmental behavior research in general.

KW - Cultural Distribution/Cultural Organization

KW - aesthetic experience

KW - embodiment

KW - museum

KW - physiology

KW - research method

KW - tracking

KW - visitor behavior

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84890485784&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1177/0013916512453839

DO - 10.1177/0013916512453839

M3 - Journal articles

VL - 46

SP - 102

EP - 135

JO - Environment and Behavior

JF - Environment and Behavior

SN - 1552-390X

IS - 1

ER -