A ROLE THEORY OF ARTISTIC INTEREST.

A survey of published evidence indicates that artistic interest is linked (a) with the occupancy of expressive roles, either because the ascription of an expressive role generates artistic interest, or because both artistic interest and the choice of achieved expressive role are facilitated by ambiguity tolerance; and (b) with role strain, particularly when it is combined with personality factors inhibiting external aggression. Three types of differently caused artistic interest have been distinguished: ceremonial, therapeutic, and creative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]