Ep.78. Does Ambiguity Increase Perceived Complexity in Art?

"The Qualitative Side of Complexity: Testing Effects of Ambiguity on Complexity Judgments" by Martina Jakesch and Helmut Leder Summary This research article investigates the impact of ambiguity on perceived visual complexity. Previous studies primarily focused on quantitative measures of complexity (e.g., number of elements), but this study explores the qualitative dimension, using ambiguous René Magritte paintings and their less ambiguous counterparts. While objective complexity measures showed no significant difference between the two conditions, subjective ratings revealed that ambiguous pictures were judged significantly more complex. This finding highlights the crucial role of semantic interpretation and meaning in shaping complexity perceptions, demonstrating that visual complexity is not solely a quantitative phenomenon.

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