How long does this scale take?

It takes about 3 minutes to complete.

Are my responses private?

Yes, all answers are anonymized and confidential.

Can I take this test more than once?

Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your results may have changed.

How does the Aesthetic Needs Scale relate to Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

Maslow briefly mentioned aesthetic needs in his work, often placed after the satisfaction of fundamental needs. The ANS aims to draw greater attention to and provide a tool for measuring these needs, which Maslow noted we know less about than other human needs.

Does the Aesthetic Needs Scale measure general artistic ability?

The ANS measures the need for aesthetic experience, which includes the need for contact with art, but it also measures needs related to everyday life and nature. While high scores correlate with higher aesthetic competence in art, the scale itself assesses a broader drive for beauty and harmony.

The Aesthetic Needs Scale is a psychological tool that measures an individual's need for aesthetic experience across art, nature, and daily life. Take the scale below to find out where you stand.

Aesthetic Needs Scale

Take this 12-item test to discover your fundamental need for beauty and harmony.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated: December 1, 2025

Reviewed for clinical accuracy by Jourdan Travers, LCSW

The Aesthetic Needs Scale (ANS) offers a robust tool for measuring the intensity of an individual’s desire for beauty, harmony, and aesthetic experience. The scale's development follows the idea that the desire for aesthetic beauty is a universal value, a concept previously acknowledged but not empirically pursued since the early writings of Maslow.

The scale measures the need to aestheticize everyday life (finding beauty in mundane objects like food presentation), the need for contact with aesthetic creations (art, music, etc.), and the need to aestheticize the built and natural environments (caring about architecture or scenic landscapes). By covering these three facets, the ANS moves beyond simply measuring engagement with art to capture a fundamental, pervasive drive for aesthetic experience in all aspects of life.

Understanding your aesthetic needs can offer insights into what drives your appreciation for the world and your overall well-being. For example, your results on this scale may correlate with your scores on related constructs like a general desire for novel experiences, similar to the Openness to Experience Scale, or the depth of your sensory engagement, as seen in the Highly Sensitive Person Questionnaire. Take this test, and the ones linked above, to gain a better understanding your core personality and what makes you tick.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this scale take?: It takes about 3 minutes to complete.
Are my responses private?: Yes, all Aesthetic Needs Scale answers are anonymized and confidential.
Can I take this test more than once?: Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your Aesthetic Needs Scale results may have changed.
How does the Aesthetic Needs Scale relate to Maslow's hierarchy of needs?: Maslow briefly mentioned aesthetic needs in his work, often placed after the satisfaction of fundamental needs. The ANS aims to draw greater attention to and provide a tool for measuring these needs, which Maslow noted we know less about than other human needs.
Does the Aesthetic Needs Scale measure general artistic ability?: The ANS measures the need for aesthetic experience, which includes the need for contact with art, but it also measures needs related to everyday life and nature. While high scores correlate with higher aesthetic competence in art, the scale itself assesses a broader drive for beauty and harmony.

Aesthetic Needs Scale: Take the 12-Item Test

Step 1: Rate Your Aesthetic Needs Below

For each statement, indicate how much you agree on a scale of 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree).

1. I feel a great need to view art and/or listen to music

2. I look for information about the art that interests me

3. I am interested in artistic events in my area

4. I feel a strong need for contact with art

5. I pay attention to the detail of a room's decoration

6. I pay attention to the details of other people's clothing

7. The appearance and presentation of food are important to me

8. I like it when everyday objects have an attractive appearance

9. I often look for beauty in nature

10. When going on a trip, I choose to stop at places with a scenic landscape

11. When looking for a place to live, I would take an attractive view from the window into consideration

12. I derive pleasure from observing harmony in nature

Step 2: Enter Your Demographics

Provide your age, gender, region, and first name for a detailed report comparing your results to others.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Submit Your 'Aesthetic Needs Scale' Answers

After completing all questions, click below to send your responses to Mark Travers, Ph.D. All answers are anonymized and confidential.

References

Świątek, S., Danton, P., Diessner, R., & Świątek, S. (2024). The unexplored territory of aesthetic needs and the development of the Aesthetic Needs Scale. *PLOS ONE*, 19(3), e0299326.

Disclaimer

This scale is designed for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.