Positive Art: Artistic Expression and Appreciation as an Exemplary Vehicle for Flourishing.
Article
Lomas, T. 2016. Positive Art: Artistic Expression and Appreciation as an Exemplary Vehicle for Flourishing. Review of General Psychology. 20 (2), pp. 171-182. https://doi.org/10.1037/gpr0000073
Authors | Lomas, T. |
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Abstract | The relevance of the arts to wellbeing has been recognised within clinical fields, as reflected in therapeutic forms based on various art modalities, from music to drama therapy. However, there has hitherto been little appreciation in fields such as positive psychology of the broader potential of the arts as a vehicle for flourishing and fulfilment. As such, this paper proposes the creation of ‘positive art’ as a field encompassing theory and research concerning the wellbeing value of art. To show the scope and possibilities of this proposed field, the paper provides an indicative summary of literature pertaining to four major art forms: visual art, music, literature and drama. Moreover, the paper identifies five main positive outcomes that are consistently found in the literature across all these forms: sense-making, enriching experience, aesthetic appreciation, entertainment, and bonding. The paper aims to encourage a greater focus on the arts in fields like positive psychology, enabling science to more fully understand and appreciate the positive power of the arts. |
Journal | Review of General Psychology |
Journal citation | 20 (2), pp. 171-182 |
ISSN | 1939-1552 |
1089-2680 | |
Year | 2016 |
Publisher | American Psychological Association |
Accepted author manuscript | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1037/gpr0000073 |
Publication dates | |
07 Apr 2016 | |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 08 Apr 2016 |
Accepted | 09 Mar 2016 |
Copyright information | This article may not exactly replicate the final version published in the APA journal. It is not the copy of record. |
License | All rights reserved |
https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/8517z
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