[Emotion recognition: facial components associated with various emotions]

Shinrigaku Kenkyu. 2000 Aug;71(3):211-8. doi: 10.4992/jjpsy.71.211.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

This study examined the effect of the changes in facial expressions in different parts of the face on emotion recognition. Fifty-two university students participated in the study. Seven emotions were selected as being the most suitable for categorization and expression: namely, anger, fear, surprise, disgust, sadness, happiness, and neutrality. Picture of these emotions were used to create stimulus materials, composed facial expressions were created by combining the upper and the lower parts of the pictures expressing different emotions. The participants were asked to categorize the type of emotion represented by each picture. The results showed that the upper area of the face was more often associated with anger, fear, surprise, and sadness. On the contrary, the lower area was more often associated with disgust and happiness. There were no significant differences between parts of the face associated with neutral emotions. Based on these results, we conclude that affected areas of the face differed as a function of emotion being experienced. Finally, the relationship of our results with Yamada's model (1993) was discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Emotions / physiology*
  • Face / physiology*
  • Facial Expression*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Recognition, Psychology / physiology*