1) The term paleoanthropsychobiological was coined by Ellen Dissanayake. This word suggests several things. It suggests the ideas that art embodies all of human history, that it includes all human societies, and last that art has psychological and emotional effects on people. Dissanayake coined this term to describe western art.

2) By the phrase “making special” Dissanayake means that humans have the behavior to make something special, particularly the things they care about and are passionate about. Dissanayake points out that something that is “special” is different and out of the ordinary. I believe that this relates to art in the way that all art is different and special. Art itself is special and out of the ordinary. Art is beautiful and humans who are passionate about art can make it special in their own way. In terms of human survival, Dissanayake related “making special” to animals being able to identify when something is dangerous or out of the ordinary. “Now all animals can tell the difference between the ordinary or routine and the extraordinary or unusual. They would not survive if they were oblivious to the snapping twig or sudden shadow that means a predator is nearby.” (Page 22.) Dissanayake is pointing out that being able to understand when something is special or unusual is key to survival. Humans and animals need to be able to identify when danger is present.

3) One theory of art that Dissanayake writes about is Modernism: Art as Ideology. This theory was prominent in the 18th century. Modernism included the idea that “there is a special frame of mind for appreciating works of art – a “disinterested” attitude that is separate from one’s own personal interest” (Page 17.) This idea of disinterest suggested that people could appreciate any art even artwork that didn’t particularly relate to them, or that was from a different time period or culture.

Another theory of art was Postmodernism: Art as Interpretation. This theory presents the idea that interpretation is vital to appreciating art. This theory challenges the Modernist ideology. Postmodernists point out that any idea or truth presented by art is only a point of view, “a representation that comes to us mediated and conditioned by or language, our social institutions, the assumptions that characterize individuals..” (Page 19.) This idea explains that people interpret art based on their background and culture. Different people interpret art differently.

Dissanayake also wrote about the theory of aesthetics in art. “Aesthetics—a concern with elucidating principles such as taste and beauty that govern all the arts and indeed make them not simply painting or statues but examples of fine art.” (Page 17.) This is the idea that art isn’t just simply there. Art is pleasing to the eye and is also a learning experience. People can truly enjoy the aesthetics of art and see the beauty and value in artwork.