Week 7: Neuroscience and Art

This week’s topic “Neuroscience and Art” has me thinking about the brain and how it processes information, including art. Art can be consumed in many different ways. Two examples are visually and auditorily, both of which are processed by the brain in slightly different ways. Visual information is “processed by an intricate system of interconnecting neurons, which begins with the optic nerve in the eye up to the visual processing center in our forebrain called the visual cortex” (Huff et al.). View diagram below for visualization of visual processing. 

Via All About Vision

As for auditory processing, the “outer ear directs sound waves to your eardrum and causes it to vibrate. These vibrations move through your middle ear and into your inner ear. Finally, these signals travel to your brain, which translates them into what you hear” (Cleveland Clinic). View below for a diagram depicting how auditory processing occurs. 

Via University of Minnesota Libraries

In addition to the processing of information input, the brain also produces and outputs emotion as a result of information that is consumed. The Amygdala is responsible for this emotional output as a response to art (Cleveland Clinic).  The role of the amygdala is to work as “the central subcortical emotional brain structure that constantly evaluates and integrates a variety of sensory information from the surroundings and assigns them appropriate values of emotional dimensions” (Šimić et al.). View the location of the amygdala below.

Via Simply Psychology

Without these processes that are produced by the brain, consuming art and appreciating art would not be possible. That being said, art cannot exist in a vacuum without science. Additionally, exposure to “art enhances brain function by impacting brain wave patterns, emotions, and the nervous system” (American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine). Thus, exhibiting that art also impacts science. Overall, learning about the intersection of neuroscience, in this case brain information processing, has given me greater insight into the purpose and impact of art on the foundations of science. 

Works Cited

American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. “How the Brain Is Affected by Art - Rehabilitation Medicine.” ACRM, 27 Aug. 2020, acrm.org/rehabilitation-medicine/how-the-brain-is-affected-by-art/#:~:text=There%20is%20increasing%20evidence%20in,also%20occur%20by%20experiencing%20art. 

Cleveland Clinic medical professionals. “The Amygdala: A Small Part of Your Brain’s Biggest Abilities.” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24894-amygdala#:~:text=Your%20amygdala%20is%20a%20small,to%20disruptive%20feelings%20and%20symptoms. Accessed 17 May 2024. 

Cleveland Clinic medical professionals. “What Is Hearing?” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/17054-hearing#:~:text=Your%20outer%20ear%20directs%20sound,them%20into%20what%20you%20hear. Accessed 17 May 2024. 

Huff, Trevor, et al. “Neuroanatomy, Visual Cortex.” StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 14 August 2023.

Šimić, Goran et al. “Understanding Emotions: Origins and Roles of the Amygdala.” Biomoleculesvol. 11,6 823. 31 May. 2021, doi:10.3390/biom11060823