A volitional account of aesthetic experience DOI Creative Commons

Robert R. McCrae

Frontiers in Psychology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15

Published: Oct. 24, 2024

Aesthetic experience is an altered state of consciousness characterized by a detached absorption in aesthetic object; it pleasant-sometimes ecstatic-liberation from the self and its agenda. I briefly review perceptual-cognitive affective approaches used psychologists to understand phenomenon suggest need for volitional perspective. To illustrate nature scope experience, discuss nine varieties, elicited different qualities objects evoking distinctive responses perceivers. Over centuries, devices have been developed that induce manipulating such psychological mechanisms as attention, appraisal, empathy. propose explanations how several important operate, why they are particularly effective individuals high personality trait Openness Experience.

Language: Английский

The neurobiology of aesthetic chills: How bodily sensations shape emotional experiences DOI Creative Commons
Félix Schoeller, Abhinandan Jain, Diego A. Pizzagalli

et al.

Cognitive Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(4), P. 617 - 630

Published: Feb. 21, 2024

The phenomenon of aesthetic chills-shivers and goosebumps associated with either rewarding or threatening stimuli-offers a unique window into the brain basis conscious reward because their universal nature simultaneous subjective physical counterparts. Elucidating neural mechanisms underlying chills can reveal fundamental insights about emotion, consciousness, embodied mind. What is precise timing mechanism bodily feedback in emotional experience? How are feelings motivations generated from interoceptive predictions? role uncertainty precision signaling shaping emotions? does distinguish balance processing rewards versus threats? We review neuroimaging evidence highlight key questions for understanding how sensations shape feelings. This research stands to advance models brain-body interactions affect may lead novel nonpharmacological interventions disorders motivation pleasure.

Language: Английский

Citations

7
Predicting individual differences in peak emotional response DOI Creative Commons
Félix Schoeller, Leonardo Christov‐Moore, Caitlin Lynch

et al.

PNAS Nexus, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 3(3)

Published: Feb. 29, 2024

Abstract Why does the same experience elicit strong emotional responses in some individuals while leaving others largely indifferent? Is variance influenced by who people are (personality traits), how they feel (emotional state), where come from (demographics), or a unique combination of these? In this 2,900+ participants study, we disentangle factors that underlie individual variations universal aesthetic chills, feeling cold and shivers down spine during peak experiences. Here, unravel interplay psychological sociocultural dynamics influencing self-reported chills reactions. A novel technique harnessing mass data mining social media platforms curates first large database ecologically sourced chills-evoking stimuli. machine learning techniques (LASSO SVM) multilevel modeling analysis elucidates interacting roles demographics, traits, states chills. These findings highlight tractable set features predicting occurrence intensity chills—age, sex, pre-exposure arousal, predisposition to Kama Muta (KAMF), absorption (modified tellegen scale [MODTAS]), with 73.5% accuracy accounting for 48% intensity. While traditional methods typically suffer lack control over stimuli their effects, approach allows assignment tailored biopsychosocial profiles, thereby, increasing experimental decreasing unexplained variability. Further, elucidate hidden factors, contextual shape seemingly “subjective” phenomena.

Language: Английский

Citations

7
Self-transcendence accompanies aesthetic chills DOI Creative Commons
Leonardo Christov‐Moore, Félix Schoeller, Caitlin Lynch

et al.

PLOS mental health., Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 1(5), P. e0000125 - e0000125

Published: Oct. 4, 2024

Self-transcendence (ST) is a state of consciousness associated with feelings ego-dissolution, connectedness, and moral elevation, which mediates well-being, meaning-making, prosociality. Conventional paths to ST, like religious practice, meditation, psychedelics, pose nontrivial barriers entry, limiting ST’s study application. Aesthetic chills (henceforth “chills”) are psychophysiological response characterized by pleasurable, cold sensation, subjective qualities downstream effects similar ST. However, evidence lacking directly relating In the summer 2023, we exposed diverse sample 2937 participants in Southern California chills-eliciting stimuli, then assayed chills, mood Even after controlling for differences demographics, traits, prior affective state, both likelihood intensity were positively measures Parametric non-parametric analyses variance, mutual information, correlation structure found that occurrence intensity, ST reliably interrelated across variety audiovisual stimuli. These findings suggest aesthetic may denote sufficiently intense self-transcendence. Further necessary demonstrate generalizability these results non-WEIRD populations, precise direction causal relationships between self-transcendent chills.

Language: Английский

Citations

5
ChillsDB 2.0: Individual Differences in Aesthetic Chills Among 2,900+ Southern California Participants DOI Creative Commons
Félix Schoeller,

Leo Christov Moore,

Caite Lynch

et al.

Scientific Data, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: Dec. 21, 2023

Abstract We significantly enriched ChillsDB, a dataset of audiovisual stimuli validated to elicit aesthetic chills. A total 2,937 participants from Southern California were exposed 40 stimuli, consisting 20 (10 ChillsDB and 10 new) presented either in or audio-only formats. Questionnaires administered assessing demographics, personality traits, state affect, political orientation. Detailed data on chills responses is captured alongside participants’ ratings the stimuli. The combines controlled elicitation using previously materials with individual difference measures enable investigation predictors correlates phenomena. It aims support continued research mechanisms therapeutic potential responses.

Language: Английский

Citations

9
Aesthetic chills modulate reward learning in Anhedonic depression DOI
Abhinandan Jain, Félix Schoeller,

Shiba Esfand

et al.

Journal of Affective Disorders, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 370, P. 9 - 17

Published: Oct. 11, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

3
Repeated exposure decreases aesthetic chills likelihood but increases intensity DOI Creative Commons
Félix Schoeller, Leonardo Christov‐Moore, Caitlin Lynch

et al.

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(4), P. e0300494 - e0300494

Published: April 2, 2025

Aesthetic chills are a peak emotional response to stimuli such as music, films, or speech characterized by shivers and goosebumps activation of dopaminergic circuits. Despite growing scientific interest in this phenomenon, repeated exposure has not been studied yet, due the absence validated database. This study leverages recent gold standard investigate impact on frequency intensity aesthetic chills. Participants (n = 58) were randomly exposed 6 chill-evoking pre-validated population interest, counterbalanced order. Our findings revealed significant decrease likelihood experiencing with exposure, suggesting habituation itself potential fatigue stimuli. However, we observed an increase duration over successive exposures among those who did experience The also identified distinct demographic psychophysiological patterns across different participant groups, indicating variability chill responses. These results provide insights into dynamic nature experiences their underlying neural mechanisms, implications for understanding reward processing psychophysiology.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Individual Differences in Aesthetic Experience Point to the Role of Bodily Awareness in Political Orientation DOI Open Access
Leonardo Christov‐Moore, Félix Schoeller, Anthony G Vaccaro

et al.

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Aesthetic chills are a peak emotion characterized by shivers down the spine and goosebumps in response to salient stimuli such as music, speech, or films. In previous study exposing large number of Southern California participants (n=2947) pre-validated audiovisual stimuli, we observed strong correlation between intensity self-reported political orientation, with more conservative reporting intense chills, although not having overall. We performed this current, pre-registered, follow-up examine whether was due religiosity (which frequently accompanies conservatism, particularly USA), and/or being among cultural minority (conservative within largely progressive/liberal context), assaying demographically matched politically diverse populations (n=620) Texas (n=262) identical stimuli. also tested for differences interoceptive awareness via Multidimensional Assessment Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) scale, based on evidence link conservatism disgust sensitivity. found that originally positive replicated, did show an effect location, appears be strongly mediated mood before stimulus exposure. Post-hoc analyses nonlinear trends data suggest covary most distance from center, rather than per se. This lends novel nuance our understanding relationship orientations, religiosity, awareness, engagement emotional

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Schema Surgery: AI-generated Peak Positive Emotional Stimuli Deactivate Maladaptive Schema (Preprint) DOI
Félix Schoeller, Abhinandan Jain, Andrei Dumitrescu

et al.

Published: Feb. 12, 2024

BACKGROUND Early maladaptive schemas (EMS) linked to depression are persistent, dysfunctional belief and behavior patterns acquired during critical developmental periods, resistant change challenging address therapeutically. Peak emotional experiences have been shown mitigate such schemas, suggesting a novel intervention pathway. OBJECTIVE This study aimed evaluate whether AI-generated personalized clones of peak stimuli could selectively deactivate negative offering new approach addressing entrenched cognitive in depression. METHODS A total 182 healthy participants were exposed three variants stimulus: the original, cloned version, schema-specific clone targeting negativity. Emotional shifts valence arousal measured pre- post-exposure assess impact on schemas. Schema assessed using Young Questionnaire (YSQ). Statistical analyses conducted compare effects schema mitigation. RESULTS All induced robust positive shifts, confirming method's effectiveness generating affect. However, only stimulus significantly mitigated targeted negativity schema, outperforming other reducing thinking patterns. Qualitative reports underscored stimulus's relevance its potential for change. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that AI-generated, exposures can effectively modify stable cognitions, promising dismantling depressive supports utility mental health interventions, highlighting AI enhancing therapeutic outcomes.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
A volitional account of aesthetic experience DOI Creative Commons

Robert R. McCrae

Frontiers in Psychology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15

Published: Oct. 24, 2024

Aesthetic experience is an altered state of consciousness characterized by a detached absorption in aesthetic object; it pleasant-sometimes ecstatic-liberation from the self and its agenda. I briefly review perceptual-cognitive affective approaches used psychologists to understand phenomenon suggest need for volitional perspective. To illustrate nature scope experience, discuss nine varieties, elicited different qualities objects evoking distinctive responses perceivers. Over centuries, devices have been developed that induce manipulating such psychological mechanisms as attention, appraisal, empathy. propose explanations how several important operate, why they are particularly effective individuals high personality trait Openness Experience.

Language: Английский

Citations

0