A constructive and developmental approach to art experience: An exploratory study

Abstract

In order to explore the processes and mechanisms involved in this relationship between the person and the aesthetic object, we developed a self-report measure based on Kegan's constructive developmental theory. In this study our focus is on cinema, more specifically we chose the stimulus Mulholland Drive from David Lynch. Participants were invited to watch the movie in private contexts. After experiencing the film we asked for their voluntary engagement in a scientific activity. Data from 97 Portuguese, dominantly young adults, were collected through the measure constructed for the study. Analyses were conducted through exploratory factor analysis procedures. The results revealed 4 dimensions which appear to embrace different ways of ordering and making meaning toward the film. Although the dimensions found can be theoretically interpreted according to Kegan's model, future research is needed in order to test construct validity of the measure. The limitations and implications of our findings for further research on developmental aspects of meaning making are discussed.