Everyday aesthetics from an occupational perspective

Abstract

ABSTRACT Mentions of aesthetic experiences tied to occupation in everyday life appear in the occupational science literature but aesthetic experiences have not been a focus of study. Building on the definition of aesthetic emotion, we draw on key conceptual sources from anthropology, philosophy, psychology, and the science of neuroaesthetics to explore everyday aesthetics from the perspective of occupation. Objects are critical to an aesthetic event and significant at an occupational, societal, and cultural level. The neurological process of object appraisal is a key source of aesthetic emotion in everyday life. We propose everyday aesthetics as a useful concept for identifying and describing aesthetic experiences that stir humans to act in ways related to occupation and social interaction. Reactions to aesthetic emotions stimulated by the appraisal of objects and events result in acts that potentially support or undermine health and well-being. Everyday aesthetic experiences are a source of motivation present in creative acts and in occupation. Aesthetic emotional processing in everyday life is an aspect of decision-making impacting pleasure, displeasure, agency, and subjective quality of life.