A Study on the Divergence between Psychological Evaluation and Physiological Indices during Art Viewing in Immersive Spaces

This study investigates how immersive spatial environments influence both subjective and physiological responses during digital art appreciation, focusing on potential divergences between conscious evaluation and autonomic nervous system activity. Two contrasting immersive settings were constructed: Immersive Space 1, featuring mirror-based reflections to create visual infinity, and Immersive Space 2, employing large LED panels to eliminate visual self-reflection. Participants viewed identical digital artwork in each space under controlled conditions, while psychological ratings and electrocardiographic (ECG) data were collected simultaneously. The results revealed no significant differences in subjective ratings across dimensions such as Impression, Relaxation, Motivation, and Creativity. However, ECG data indicated significantly higher parasympathetic activity and reduced sympathetic arousal in Immersive Space 2, suggesting a more relaxed physiological state. This dissociation highlights a crucial aspect of aesthetic experience: that bodily responses may diverge from consciously reported impressions. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating physiological measures in studies of art perception, particularly in immersive contexts where environmental features subtly modulate internal states. They also point to the value of a multimodal assessment approach in capturing the full complexity of aesthetic experience, offering implications for the design of immersive environments in art, education, and therapeutic applications.