The Allure of Aesthetics: How Beauty Shapes Our Happiness

Beauty can be found in myriad forms. It could be in the majesty of natural landscapes, the captivating allure of a face, the finesse of fine art, the grandeur of architectural wonders, or the brilliance of star-studded skies. It could even be in something as simple as the sunlight reflecting off an empty bottle. Beauty is not a physical entity; it exists solely in our minds as a sensation of pleasure. If one were to attempt to define it, we might say that we find something beautiful if its colors, shapes, forms, or proportions please us or bring us delight. The experience of beauty is intrinsically human and has accompanied us for millions of years. Even our earliest tools were crafted with an eye for symmetry. Despite considerable research, scientists have struggled to pinpoint any practical reasons why our ancestors might have invested time in making their tools aesthetically pleasing.

Early humans, it seems, crafted their tools into teardrop shapes simply because they found them more aesthetically appealing. Over the course of history, the concept of beauty has undergone significant transformations. Ideals have evolved, often metamorphosing into their polar opposites. However, despite fluctuating individual and contemporary preferences, certain aesthetic elements have consistently remained desirable. The golden ratio, symmetry, and fractal patterns have been embraced in the art and architecture of various cultures, from the dawn of human civilization to the present day. Humans mysteriously concur on the beauty of certain patterns, which recur persistently. These universally appreciated patterns are deeply rooted in nature. They became integral to our biology because they enhanced the survival chances of our ancestors. For instance, fractal patterns are ubiquitous in the natural world.

Fractal patterns can be observed in various natural phenomena - from snail shells and flower buds to waves and clouds. Accurately identifying and interpreting these patterns used to be crucial for survival. Do those clouds indicate impending rain? Are these waters safe for swimming? Is this edible? Symmetry is another prevalent aspect in nature, signifying that everything is as it should be. Stems, trees, leaves, and blossoms all exhibit symmetry. A deer with substantial antlers likely provides nutritious meat, while a deformed wheat ear might not be safe for consumption. A symmetrical face is often associated with a healthy and fertile potential mate. Due to its ubiquity in flora and fauna, our brain is exceptionally familiar with symmetry. This recognition aided our ancestors in quickly assessing their environment and responding to threats. Elements that promoted our survival activate the reward center of our brain. Recognizing signals of safety and nourishment trigger pleasurable sensations within us.

Our aesthetic sense likely originated from pattern recognition, but it has significantly evolved beyond that. Humans seem to have developed an inherent instinct for beauty, deeply ingrained in us. This instinct persists even when other cognitive processes cease to function. In an experiment, Alzheimer's patients were asked to rank the beauty of various paintings. When the experiment was repeated two weeks later, the patients had completely forgotten the paintings but still ranked their beauty in the same order. One might argue that this doesn't reveal much, merely that people adhere to their personal preferences. However, other research has indicated that we possess a sort of universally agreed upon standard for beauty. In different experiments, people were tasked with distinguishing between authentic and counterfeit abstract paintings. Some were original works by Mondrian and Pollock, created according to stringent rules like fractal patterns, while the imitations were not. The majority correctly identified the original artworks. This was consistent for paintings from both artists, despite the significant differences in their art styles.

In another study, participants were shown abstract artworks and asked to identify them among similar paintings created by children or animals. Once again, the subjects successfully identified the legitimate paintings, which were carefully planned and not random in their patterns. So, while it's challenging to define what beauty is or what it's based on, we somehow recognize it when we see it.

Humans no longer navigate through nature on a daily basis striving to survive. We've left the natural world behind and created our own. We've manufactured the objects that surround us - the things we wear, use, and look at. As we expanded across the planet and our population increased, we shaped an entirely man-made environment. In this process, we often overlooked beauty in favor of functionality, cost, or efficiency.

We constructed row upon row of concrete housing blocks that no one desires to inhabit. We have unattractive underground subway stations, run-down public service buildings, and expansive malls. One bland, standardized box stands next to the other. Humans, as it turns out, do not appreciate monotony.

Eye-tracking technology has revealed that people consistently focus on the details and decorations in architecture, swiftly glossing over blank walls. Not only are such spaces uninteresting to gaze upon, but they can also lead to feelings of discontent. Studies utilizing skin sensors have demonstrated that viewing large, uninteresting facades triggers feelings of boredom and unease. Such feelings have been associated with increased heart rates and stress levels. Conversely, it appears that the opposite is also true.

Numerous studies in recent decades have suggested that environments we find aesthetically pleasing can enhance our well-being, behavior, cognitive function, and mood. Our bodies and brains exhibit tangible and observable reactions to our surroundings. Beauty, in particular, has such a significant effect on our well-being that adding aesthetic value to functional items can actually enhance their effectiveness.

In 2017, a hospital investigated recovery factors by observing patients and conducting interviews. They discovered that visual art in lounge areas made patients feel more comfortable and generally more satisfied with their stay. Another study compared patient recovery in a hospital with two wards: an old, less appealing one and a newly renovated ward. Researchers were surprised to find that patients staying in the newly renovated ward required less pain medication and were discharged, on average, two days earlier than those in the old ward. These findings suggest that a more aesthetically pleasing environment can lead to tangible physical improvements.

Beauty also plays a significant role in our day-to-day lives, contributing to our overall happiness. An intriguing outcome emerged from a study that explored the primary factors influencing adult happiness. Apart from elements like robust health and a harmonious family life, individual happiness was significantly influenced by how aesthetically pleasing one found their city of residence. Notably, beauty ranked higher than cleanliness or safety.

What insights can we derive from all this? We understand that humans have been intricately calibrated over millions of years to interpret visual stimuli and evaluate our surroundings. It's essentially ingrained in our programming, and we are beginning to realize just how profoundly the concept of beauty influences us. Beauty fulfills an intrinsic need for meaningful information. It might be worthwhile, therefore, to afford it more prominence in the man-made world we have crafted.