The Relationships of Viewing Time for the Cluster of Circular Objects Image with Aesthetic Evaluation and the Sensitivity of Trypophobia

Abstract

A cluster of circular objects can evoke discomfort in observers. On the other hand, as represented by Yayoi Kusama’s works, the cluster of circular objects seems to attract people. In this study, 270 participants were presented with images containing the cluster and were asked to adjust the duration of their observation. After the adjustment task, the participants aesthetically evaluated the images that were observed the longest and the shortest. For the longest observed cluster of circular objects image, we found the following correlation between the viewing time and Interest (r=.35), Intellectual challenge (r=.23), Energy (r=.20), Enchantment (r=.19), Fascination (r=.19), and Joy (r=.19), but the sensitivity of trypophobia (r=-.09). These results suggest that there could be clusters of circular objects which attract interest and make active in observers without triggering trypophobia.