Since ancient times there are reports of aesthetic experiences, which can be described as a specific blending of wonder, high attraction and latent avoidance. Since the 19th century this emotional quality is known as fascination. Based on recent philosophical and psychological conceptions of fascination the project investigates historical and empirical approaches into this little studied aesthetic emotion. A history of concept will be developed.

The study is realised in three sub-projects. Literary and theoretical texts of the Middle Ages and the 18th and 19th century are analysed. Moreover a psychological model of fascination based on theoretical assumptions and explorative studies will be developed. Further empirical studies will tested the model in different reception processes.

Fascination is hypothesised as an overall positive emotional reaction to ambivalent appraisals of external stimuli which motivated the maintenance of itself.

Martin Baisch:

Fascination, curiosity and suspense in courtly novels of the high and late Middle Ages

Andreas Degen:

Fascination as a poetic figure of thought in the 18th and 19th century

Jana Lüdtke:

Explorative and experimental study on fascination as a phenomenon of reception