Abstract

Cognitive dissonances can occur when self-guided visitors confront art works in museums which do not agree with their previously held cognitions. As a result, visitors can experience frustration and anxiety because they are unable to find immediate sources through which they can resolve their dissonances. Recently, there has been increased interest by museum educators to develop and place multi-media interpretive aids directly in gallery spaces to better assist the high percentage of visitors who circulate through museums unsupported by planned programs and tours. After reviewing the Typologies of Dissonance and the interpretive aids currently in place in a Fine Arts Museum, this study examines whether or not these aids are able to assist in the resolution of visitors dissonances and thereby promote learning through the acquisition of new experiences and/or knowledge.