Research areas
Nicole is a trained psychologist with a background in cognitive neuroscience, psychological rehabilitation and neurobiology. She is dedicated to multidisciplinary research and she worked with experts in fine art, computer engineering, graphic coding and neurobiology.
Nicole's PhD thesis studied visual perception in far peripheral visual space and its artistic representations. She is currently involved in a multidisciplinary project with Brendan Wolfe (School of Divinity) and Dhanraj Vishwanath (School of Psychology and Neuroscience) investigating the psychological implications of the addition of text in religious images.
Nicole’s main research interests involve aesthetic experience, art history, space perception, affective connotations of visual properties and their applications in architecture and design.
Selected publications
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Open access
Explaining the curvature effect: perceptual and hedonic evaluations of visual contour
Clemente, A., Penacchio, O., Vila-Vidal, M., Pepperell, R. & Ruta, N., 20 Apr 2023, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts. Advance online, 21 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Art and the geometry of visual space
Burleigh, A., Pepperell, R. & Ruta, N., 5 Jan 2021, Space-time geometries for motion and perception in the brain and the arts. Flash, T. & Berthoz, A. (eds.). Cham: Springer, p. 129-149 21 p. (Lecture notes in morphogenesis).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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Open access
Preference for paintings is also affected by curvature
Ruta, N., Vañó, J., Pepperell, R., Corradi, G. B., Chuquichambi, E. G., Rey, C. & Munar, E., 13 May 2021, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts. Online FirstResearch output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
A comparison between preference judgments of curvature and sharpness in architectural façades
Ruta, N., Mastandrea, S., Penacchio, O., Lamaddalena, S. & Bove, G., 28 Dec 2018, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Architectural Science Review. Latest Articles, 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Natural perspective: mapping visual space with art and science
Burleigh, A., Pepperell, R. & Ruta, N., 7 May 2018, In: Vision. 2, 2, 21.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
The perceived size and shape of objects in peripheral vision
Baldwin, J., Burleigh, A., Pepperell, R. & Ruta, N., 17 Aug 2016, In: i-Perception. 7, 4, p. 1-23 23 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Comparing angular and curved shapes in terms of implicit associations and approach/avoidance responses
Palumbo, L., Ruta, N. & Bertamini, M., 13 Oct 2015, In: PLoS ONE.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
The Pleasantness of Visual Symmetry: Always, Never or Sometimes
Pecchinenda, A., Bertamini, M., Ruta, N. & Makin, A. D. J., 21 Mar 2014, In: PLoS ONE.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review