AESTHETIC PREFERENCE AND DSM-IIIR PERSONALITY-DISORDERS

This report tested whether those individuals with a cluster B DSM-IIIR personality disorder (narcissistic, borderline, antisocial or histrio nic) had higher scores for aesthetic preference for visually complex d rawings using the Barren-Welch Art Scale. In a sample of 141 patients and controls, the 56 subjects who met the criteria for one of the clus ter B personality disorder diagnoses displayed higher Barron-Welch Art Scale Scores. A multiple regression analysis showed that narcissistic and borderline personality disorder contributed positively, while dep endent personality disorder, negatively to preference for complexity. The findings support the notion that aesthetic choices and values refl ected through the dimension of openness to experience may contribute t o the behavioral manifestations of the personality disorders.