What is the cognitive function of art

Many of us think that creativity, by and large, serves exclusively for entertainment. However, the cognitive function of art, along with ethical, educational, magical, therapeutic, takes a large place in the human psyche. What are the different roles and how are they manifested?

The cognitive function of art is based on obtaining new information for the individual. Most often it is associated with historical works: novels, paintings, films. Reading Aristotle or Dostoevsky, we can imagine how our fellow tribesmen lived in Ancient Greece or in Russia in the nineteenth century. And the novels of Alexei Tolstoy or Mikhail Sholokhov will bring us closer not only in detail, but also in describing the way of thinking - mentality - people during the Civil War era. The cognitive function of art (or otherwise - cognitive) is also in the analysis of paintings, graphics, illustrating the reality of the past centuries. After all, for example, we could not learn about what Peter the Great looked like, what Catherine the Great wore if they had not been imprinted on the portraits of contemporary artists. The same goes for battle or household paintings.

However, let us ask ourselves whether the cognitive function of art consists only in the study of the history of previous generations. By creating works, artists invest in them not only and not so much information as they creatively process the surrounding reality. It hardly makes sense to study botany on still lifes, because the main functions of art are much more diverse and multidimensional than just a dry statement of information or photographing the world.

It is believed that the first forms of creative manifestation of human consciousness were of a magical nature. Dances, songs, painting were supposed to serve as a kind of incantations before the gods. The educational function of art appeared much later. Paintings, poetry, films can affect the moral and ethical sphere of human consciousness. The simplest example is a fable with their immediate or metaphorical premise. The aesthetic function is the ability to feel and transmit the beauty of the inner and outer world. Emotional - in the transfer and stimulation of special states of consciousness and spirit. "Mozart's Requiem" evokes in us some emotions, and a popular hit - others. The therapeutic function is closely related to the ability and ability to express through our art our hidden and tormenting feelings. For example, certain musical genres are used for meditation and hypnosis. And as a therapeutic measure, doctors recommend watching comedies.

The cognitive function of art combined with psychological analysis can be used to comprehend its inner world.
This is also often used in therapeutic practice. By connecting to works of art under the direction of a psychologist or psychotherapist, we can understand what is important, important, painful for us, what problems we need to work out, what should be given more attention.