Out now! My latest scientific article is now published at the Creativity Research Journal. It investigates a factor structure of my Rating instrument for two-dimensional pictorial works (RizbA) and discusses current gaps between art theory and empirical research on art. All data, methodology, and a preprint version are freely available under the premises of Open Science.

abstract

The RizbA scale combines psychometrics and art theory and enables a measurement of pictorial expression. This study explores its factor structure and a potential gap between theory and empirics. A sample of 275 pictorial works by artists and nonprofessionals was rated by 179 art experts. Three CFA path models were specified: models A and B based on the empirical results of previous studies, C on the theory of the initial study. Model C was additionally tested on a combined dataset. A and B did not converge, C was associated with fit indices as follows: RSMEA = .122, CFI = .712, TLI = .679, SRMR = .135, for the combined dataset: RSMEA = .086, CFI = .740, TLI = .696, SRMR = .084. Only model C partly suggests an acceptable fit. The results speak to a methodological gap between empirics and theory, that might be solved by a postdisciplinary measurement model.

Schoch, K., & Ostermann, T. (2023). Empirics vs. art theory:
Exploring a factor structure of pictorial expression
based on contemporary artworks. Creativity Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2023.2272104

Preprint
Schoch, K., & Ostermann, T. (2021, 15. Juli). Empirics vs. art theory: Exploring a factor structure of pictorial expression based on contemporary artworks. SocArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31235/osf.io/xyrf5