Intention Perception and Meaning

This research investigates the complex relationship between intention and meaning. Study 1 examines how threats to meaning impact subsequent perceptions of intentionality. Following threats to meaning, we predict that an intentionality ascription bias will emerge as an attempt to restore meaning a la the meaning maintenance model (Heine, Proulx, & Vohs, 2006). We did not find threats to meaning to increase perceptions of intentionality for abstract art. However, individuals rated art made by artists to be more intentional and more meaningful than art made by non-artists (toddlers, elephants, non-human primates). If perceiving intentionality begets meaning, perhaps meaning threats lose their impact when they are labeled as intentional. Study 2 also tests the meaning maintenance model (Heine, Proulx, & Vohs, 2006), and examines if intentionality perception will function as a meaning making process, neutralize an ‘accidental’ meaning threat, and render subsequent meaning restoration unnecessary. We did not find evidence in support of this. Implications of these findings are discussed further.

Grantor dc:publisher

Wake Forest University

Year dc:date.issued

2017

Author dc:creator

• Ray, Andrew

• Art

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/82161

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:wakespace.lib.wfu.edu:10339/82161