Art Beyond Art’s Sake: The Influence of Artistic Cues on Prosocial Choice

Abstract

In this study, we examined whether exposure to art can promote an abstract mindset. Specifically, based on construal level theory, we tested the relationship between artistic cues and an abstract mindset, and how this mindset could in turn impact prosocial choice. Experiment 1 ( N = 54) revealed that artistic cues lead participants to consider more abstract features than concrete features. In Experiment 2 ( N = 83), it was shown that the effect of artistic cues on an abstract mindset is mediated by psychological distance. In addition, this abstract mindset was shown to mediate the link between artistic cues and prosocial choice. The findings of this study highlight the mechanisms that extend the effects of art beyond preference to choice and thought.