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Emotional facial activation induced by unconsciously perceived dynamic facial expressions

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posted on 2023-06-09, 03:04 authored by Jakob Kaiser, Graham C L Davey, Thomas Parkhouse, Jennifer Meeres, Ryan ScottRyan Scott
Do facial expressions of emotion influence us when not consciously perceived? Methods to investigate this question have typically relied on brief presentation of static images. In contrast, real facial expressions are dynamic and unfold over several seconds. Recent studies demonstrate that gaze contingent crowding (GCC) can block awareness of dynamic expressions while still inducing behavioural priming effects. The current experiment tested for the first time whether dynamic facial expressions presented using this method can induce unconscious facial activation. Videos of dynamic happy and angry expressions were presented outside participants' conscious awareness while EMG measurements captured activation of the zygomaticus major (active when smiling) and the corrugator supercilii (active when frowning). Forced-choice classification of expressions confirmed they were not consciously perceived, while EMG revealed significant differential activation of facial muscles consistent with the expressions presented. This successful demonstration opens new avenues for research examining the unconscious emotional influences of facial expressions.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

International Journal of Psychophysiology

ISSN

0167-8760

Publisher

Elsevier

Volume

110

Page range

207-211

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2016-09-22

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2017-07-23

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2016-09-22

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