New psychology research reveals the paradoxical benefits of viewing tragic art

New psychology research reveals the paradoxical benefits of viewing tragic art

New research published in The Journal of Positive Psychology suggests that looking at tragic art—specifically sculptures depicting the suffering of refugees—can produce positive emotional experiences and even increase empathy. Across two studies, people reported feeling both sadness and pleasure when viewing emotionally difficult art. These feelings were closely tied to a sense of being moved and finding the experience meaningful. The researcher…

The paradoxical advantages of observing tragic art have been pointed out in new work on psychology

According to a study published in The Journal of Positive Psychology, viewers can derive positive emotional responses from viewing emotionally...