On the Іssue of Beauty Perception in Onthogenesis

Abstract

Developmental specifics of beauty sense in ontogenesis are analyzed in the article. It is demonstrated that mature formation of beauty sense and aesthetic activity relates to early adolescence. Ability to individual aspects of aesthetic activity can be noted on earlier stages of ontogenesis (A.V. Zaporozhets, Z.N. Novlianskaja, N.V. Papucha and others). However attitude to beauty is not realized clearly at the moment. Aesthetic activity in the strictly proper sense of the term can be analyzed when image dynamics shifts from encompassing involuntary changes of ideal images to free image management as well as realization of both freedom and contemplation in order to transform it according to “beauty principles”. Aesthetics exists exceptionally in the individual form of development. Therefore mature forms of aesthetic activity (perception or creation of aesthetic products) can be manifested at earlier ontogeny stages, for example, among artistically gifted children. It is demonstrated that behavioral acts of perception of an artistic work, while being visually similar, are phenomena of different psychological nature for different age groups (for example, infants, preschoolers, younger school children, teenagers). Features of fairy-tales and lullabies perception in early ontogenesis are analysed. Perception of fairy-tales in early ontogenesis originally emerges as external, unfolded activity and supposes participation in events which are directly perceived and experienced. Further on this basis similar activity acquires internal nature of assistance, empathy to fairy-tale characters and becomes true in the domain of imagination (A.V. Zaporozhets). Providing help to a fairy-tale character, a child places him/herself into the situation and further operates within its internal logic.