examples in conceptual learning

When trying to understand the "why's" in art, it is important to understand concepts. "Concepts are categories that group objects, events, and characteristics on the basis of common properties" (Zacks & Tversky,2001). With this in mind let us consider the concept of color in art, why it is chosen and what it is telling you about the art. For many artists a cognitive approach is used here, meaning they plan out the artwork first in sketches. They then have the issue of solving the problem of revising the image they had in their head to better communicate their message. This is where color comes in, an artist of this belief may choose colors of his or her own to represent feelings or ideas. This is why it is important to learn the concept of color rather than how color effects this piece. As how it applies to this piece may not be true for how it applies to different pieces. The concept of color is that each color is associated with a feeling or meaning depending on the subject matter. Take for example that the color green can mean positive things like, money, health, food and nature. It can also represent such negative things as envy, greed, jealousy, or guilt. As you can see to universally understand green as envy would show a lack of the true concept. Under a more social constructivist approach it would still be important to understand the idea of concepts, however, how you would come to this realization would be much different. In the constructivist approach you would come to recognize these colors based on cultural interpretations that are "socially constructed" rather than born from with in the artist themselves. Both Lines of thought think of concept a little differently while incorporating it into their thought process. My belief is that both of these lines are correct. I believe that when choosing color from with in as in the cognitive approach a consideration for cultural interpretations is also necessary to communicate effectively. With out understanding of the concept of color none of this would be possible.