The benefits of arts education: An investigation of causality and individual perceptions.

摘要

Recently a number of studies and articles have been published with the claims that education in the arts causes improvement in academic performance and causes life successes. The literature on this topic, information regarding arts education and causality flows predominantly from advocates to the public. The purpose of this study is the investigation of the public's perceptions of cause and effect relationships (causality) between arts education and academic and life successes. Through this study, causality is defined and discussed as it has been applied to advocacy arguments in support of arts education. The goal of this study is to uncover alternative ways of viewing causal linkages and arts education through the opinions of the public, and to suggest potential paths for future research.; A survey was conducted involving a randomly selected sample of Columbus, Ohio residents. The results of the survey, found that respondents believe arts education contributes to academic and other life successes; however, it does not directly cause increases in academic performance nor does it directly cause success in life. Survey respondents most frequently discuss the non-cognitive benefits of arts education such as appreciation and alternative ways of thinking. These benefits can lead to desirable outcomes.; This study is significant in that it provides evidence that statements of causality involving arts education and increases in academic performance may be unfounded. Furthermore, the presentation of the nonexistent causal relationships involving arts education serves the major purpose of providing heightened attention in an effort to maintain arts education on public policy agendas. Arts education researchers and advocates should consider the consequences of such actions. Based on the results of this study, advocates are encouraged to help the public become aware of their individual connections to arts education. If people have a personal stake in arts education, they will support arts education.