The Research Desk
Scientists at University of Pennsylvania found that viewing art can enhance emotional well-being and life satisfaction.
Visual art and flourishing: Current evidence and emerging directions.
- Positive emotion
- Engagement
Cotter, K.
In plain language
This review delves into the growing body of research examining the impact of visual art viewing on flourishing, which includes both emotional well-being and deeper life satisfaction. It highlights how engaging with art, whether in museums or digitally, can elicit emotional responses and reduce negative feelings, thereby contributing to a person's overall sense of well-being. The paper also discusses recent methodological advancements and frameworks that are helping to better understand and measure the complex benefits of art engagement.
Key findings
- Art viewing can provoke a range of emotional reactions.
- Engagement with art reduces negative affect.
- Art viewing contributes to eudaimonic flourishing.
- Recent research includes large-scale mapping of art engagement benefits.
- New approaches are emerging to better measure the complexity of art engagement.
Why it matters
This research underscores the potential of art viewing as a means to enhance both immediate emotional well-being and long-term life satisfaction.
Try this today
Readers can consider incorporating visits to art museums or engaging with digital art platforms into their routine as a way to boost their emotional well-being and overall life satisfaction.