The good, the bad, and the complex: A mini meta-analysis of integrative complexity, entertainment, and perceptions of quality

Is linguistically complex entertainment preferred to linguistically simple entertainment? Current research seemingly shows inconsistent findings on this topic—complexity is associated with both perceptions of high- and low-quality entertainment. To help resolve this inconsistency, we performed a min...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychology of aesthetics, creativity, and the arts creativity, and the arts, 2023-06
Main Authors: McCullough, Hayley, Zubrod, Alivia, Conway, Lucian Gideon
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Human
Judgment
Linguistics
Mass Media
Pleasure
Sensory Integration
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Is linguistically complex entertainment preferred to linguistically simple entertainment? Current research seemingly shows inconsistent findings on this topic—complexity is associated with both perceptions of high- and low-quality entertainment. To help resolve this inconsistency, we performed a mini meta-analysis of prior work that accounted for individual mediums and corresponding individual metrics. We found that for mediums and metrics which likely require more effortful thought, increasing linguistic complexity is associated with higher quality judgments. However, for mediums and metrics which do not require as much effortful thought, linguistic simplicity is associated with higher quality judgments. The least linguistic medium (music) predictably showed no predictive effect of complexity on perceived quality. The present data provide the first meta-analytic look at factors that might moderate the effect of complex language on entertainment success and more broadly suggest evidence consistent with an emerging theory of the importance of complexity’s match with the surrounding context. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: journal abstract)
ISSN:1931-3896
1931-390X
DOI:10.1037/aca0000564