Publication Date

2018

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Millis, Keith K.

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Psychology

Abstract

Humans form mental models of the world around them. A large body of research has outlined these mental processes for comprehending texts, yet less work has been conducted in the world of comprehending artworks. The recent Trans-Symbolic Comprehension (TSC) Framework has posited that there are shared comprehension processes between the domains of text and artwork. The current study tested this claim by having individuals think-aloud while viewing paintings and reading texts. Think-aloud protocols were then parsed and coded for six distinct mental processes that the TSC framework claims are required for comprehension across symbol systems. It was hypothesized that individuals would have profiles of TSC processes across both symbol systems. Coherence-building TSCs were also hypothesized to be related of one’s aesthetic experience. No profiles of comprehension emerged significant in the analyses, suggesting that participants do not use similar frequencies of TSC processes for paintings and texts. The coherence-building hypothesis was supported. However, bridging and elaborative inferences predicted the three aesthetic responses differently. Overall, the results provide some support for the TSC framework. Limitations and future avenues of research are also discussed.

Extent

67 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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