scholarly journals Watching others in a positive state does not induce optimism bias in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), but leads to behaviour indicative of competition

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. C. Adriaense ◽  
V. Šlipogor ◽  
S. Hintze ◽  
L. Marshall ◽  
C. Lamm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Contagion ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Common Marmosets ◽  
Optimism Bias ◽  
Negative State ◽  
Group Life ◽  
Judgement Bias ◽  
Negative Condition ◽  
Positive State

AbstractEmotional contagion is suggested to facilitate group life by enhancing synchronized responses to the environment. Cooperative breeders are an example of a social system that requires such intricate coordination between individuals. Therefore, we studied emotional contagion in common marmosets by means of a judgement bias test. Demonstrators were exposed to an emotion manipulation (i.e., positive, negative, control), and observers perceived only the demonstrator’s behaviour. We predicted that the positive or negative states of the demonstrator would induce matching states in the observer, indicating emotional contagion. All subjects’ emotional states were assessed through behaviour and cognition, the latter by means of a judgement bias test. Behavioural results showed a successful emotion manipulation of demonstrators, with manipulation-congruent expressions (i.e., positive calls in the positive condition, and negative calls and pilo-erect tail in the negative condition). Observers showed no manipulation-congruent expressions, but showed more scratching and arousal after the positive manipulation. Concerning the judgement bias test, we predicted that subjects in a positive state should increase their response to ambiguous cues (i.e., optimism bias), and subjects in a negative state should decrease their response (i.e., pessimism bias). This prediction was not supported as neither demonstrators nor observers showed such bias in either manipulation. Yet, demonstrators showed an increased response to the near-positive cue, and additional analyses showed unexpected responses to the reference cues, as well as a researcher identity effect. We discuss all results combined, including recently raised validation concerns of the judgement bias test, and inherent challenges to empirically studying emotional contagion.

scholarly journals Negative emotional contagion and cognitive bias in common ravens (Corvus corax)

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (23) ◽  
pp. 11547-11552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessie E. C. Adriaense ◽  
Jordan S. Martin ◽  
Martina Schiestl ◽  
Claus Lamm ◽  
Thomas Bugnyar
Keyword(s):  
Emotional State ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Emotional Contagion ◽  
Emotional Valence ◽  
Affective States ◽  
Judgment Bias ◽  
Negative State ◽  
Negative Condition ◽  
Negative Affective States ◽  
Communication And Coordination

Emotional contagion is described as an emotional state matching between subjects, and has been suggested to facilitate communication and coordination in complex social groups. Empirical studies typically focus on the measurement of behavioral contagion and emotional arousal, yet, while highly important, such an approach often disregards an additional evaluation of the underlying emotional valence. Here, we studied emotional contagion in ravens by applying a judgment bias paradigm to assess emotional valence. We experimentally manipulated positive and negative affective states in demonstrator ravens, to which they responded with increased attention and interest in the positive condition, as well as increased redirected behavior and a left-eye lateralization in the negative condition. During this emotion manipulation, another raven observed the demonstrator’s behavior, and we used a bias paradigm to assess the emotional valence of the observer to determine whether emotional contagion had occurred. Observers showed a pessimism bias toward the presented ambiguous stimuli after perceiving demonstrators in a negative state, indicating emotional state matching based on the demonstrators’ behavioral cues and confirming our prediction of negative emotional contagion. We did not find any judgment bias in the positive condition. This result critically expands upon observational studies of contagious play in ravens, providing experimental evidence that emotional contagion is present not only in mammalian but also in avian species. Importantly, this finding also acts as a stepping stone toward understanding the evolution of empathy, as this essential social skill may have emerged across these taxa in response to similar socioecological challenges.

scholarly journals State-dependent judgement bias in Drosophila : evidence for evolutionarily primitive affective processes

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 20170779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Deakin ◽  
Michael Mendl ◽  
William J. Browne ◽  
Elizabeth S. Paul ◽  
James J. L. Hodge
Keyword(s):  
Neural Activity ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Affective States ◽  
Negative State ◽  
State Dependent ◽  
Judgement Bias ◽  
Affective Processes ◽  
Experimental Tool ◽  
Positive State

Affective states influence decision-making under ambiguity in humans and other animals. Individuals in a negative state tend to interpret ambiguous cues more negatively than individuals in a positive state. We demonstrate that the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster , also exhibits state-dependent changes in cue interpretation. Drosophila were trained on a Go/Go task to approach a positive (P) odour associated with a sugar reward and actively avoid a negative (N) odour associated with shock. Trained flies were then either shaken to induce a purported negative state or left undisturbed (control), and given a choice between: air or P; air or N; air or ambiguous odour (1 : 1 blend of P : N). Shaken flies were significantly less likely to approach the ambiguous odour than control flies. This ‘judgement bias’ may be mediated by changes in neural activity that reflect evolutionarily primitive affective states. We cannot say whether such states are consciously experienced, but use of this model organism's versatile experimental tool kit may facilitate elucidation of their neural and genetic basis.

scholarly journals Differences in facial expressions during positive anticipation and frustration in dogs awaiting a reward

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annika Bremhorst ◽  
Nicole A. Sutter ◽  
Hanno Würbel ◽  
Daniel S. Mills ◽  
Stefanie Riemer
Keyword(s):  
Facial Expressions ◽  
Food Reward ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Practical Reasons ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Problem Behaviours ◽  
Negative Condition ◽  
Scientific Questions ◽  
Emotional Basis

AbstractFacial expressions are considered sensitive indicators of emotional states in humans and many animals. Identifying facial indicators of emotion is a major challenge and little systematic research has been done in non-primate species. In dogs, such research is important not only to address fundamental and applied scientific questions but also for practical reasons, since many problem behaviours are assumed to have an emotional basis, e.g. aggression based on frustration. Frustration responses can occur in superficially similar contexts as the emotional state of positive anticipation. For instance, the anticipated delivery of a food reward may induce the state of positive anticipation, but over time, if the food is not delivered, this will be replaced by frustration. We examined dogs’ facial expressions in contexts presumed to induce both positive anticipation and frustration, respectively, within a single controlled experimental setting. Using DogFACS, an anatomically-based method for coding facial expressions of dogs, we found that the “Ears adductor” action was more common in the positive condition and “Blink”, “Lips part”, “Jaw drop”, “Nose lick”, and “Ears flattener” were more common in the negative condition. This study demonstrates how differences in facial expression in emotionally ambiguous contexts may be used to help infer emotional states of different valence.

scholarly journals The Relationship Between Olfactory Function and Emotional Contagion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander W. J. Freemantle ◽  
Lorenzo D. Stafford ◽  
Christopher R. D. Wagstaff ◽  
Lucy Akehurst
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Emotional Contagion ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Self Assessments ◽  
Subjective Importance ◽  
Multilevel Structural Equation ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Contagion Process

Abstract Introduction Research has provided evidence for the transfer of single emotions including anger, anxiety and happiness through olfactory chemosignals, yet no work has examined the role of odour function in the aggregation of more complex emotional states or in the emotional contagion process. The aim of the present study was to ascertain whether an individual’s tendency to experience emotional aggregation was affected by objective measures of their olfactory function and subjective self-assessments of the importance of their own olfactory system. Methods In this study (N = 70), participant pairs were first assessed individually for olfactory threshold and odour identification, then completed the Importance of Olfaction Questionnaire. Each pair subsequently took part in two collaborative tasks. Individual emotion measures were taken before, during and after the completion of the two tasks. Results Multilevel structural equation modelling revealed that individuals’ within-dyad positive emotional agreement scores were associated with both their ‘importance of olfaction’ scores and their olfactory function. A significant association was also found between olfactory performance and the Importance of Olfaction scores. Conclusions These results provide evidence that the subjective importance an individual assigns to their sense of smell can predict their susceptibility to experience emotional aggregation during active, collaborative tasks. Implications The findings suggest that individuals’ tendency and capability to detect and respond to emotional chemosignals, a process required for olfactory-facilitated emotional contagion, may be affected by individual differences in olfactory function and subjective attitudes toward olfaction.

scholarly journals Optimising ‘Positive’ Findings from Judgement Bias Tests: A Consideration of Inherent Confounding Factors Associated with Test Design and Biology

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Whittaker ◽  
Timothy Barker
Keyword(s):  
Life Experience ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Test Design ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Early Life Experience ◽  
Judgement Bias ◽  
State Determination ◽  
Reproductive Cycles ◽  
Test Outcomes

The assessment of positive emotional states in animals has been advanced considerably through the use of judgement bias testing. JBT methods have now been reported in a range of species. Generally, these tests show good validity as ascertained through use of corroborating methods of affective state determination. However, published reports of judgement bias task findings can be counter-intuitive and show high inter-individual variability. It is proposed that these outcomes may arise as a result of inherent inter- and intra-individual differences as a result of biology. This review discusses the potential impact of sex and reproductive cycles, social status, genetics, early life experience and personality on judgement bias test outcomes. We also discuss some aspects of test design that may interact with these factors to further confound test interpretation. There is some evidence that a range of biological factors affect judgement bias test outcomes, but in many cases this evidence is limited and needs further characterisation to reproduce the findings and confirm directions of effect. It is our proposition that researchers should consider dedicated study on these factors and their impact on judgement biasing. This is needed to confirm effect and investigate mechanisms. Alternately, consideration and reporting of these factors in JBT studies through incorporation in statistical analyses will provide much needed additional data on their impact. These actions will enhance the validity and practical applicability of the JBT for welfare assessment.

scholarly journals Perceiving Positive Facial Expression Can Relieve Depressive Moods: The Effect of Emotional Contagion on Mood in People With Subthreshold Depression

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuko Yamashita ◽  
Tetsuya Yamamoto
Keyword(s):  
Facial Expressions ◽  
Emotional Contagion ◽  
Subthreshold Depression ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Emotional Facial Expressions ◽  
Emotional Faces ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Mood Score ◽  
Happy Mood ◽  
Sad Mood

Emotional contagion is a phenomenon by which an individual’s emotions directly trigger similar emotions in others. We explored the possibility that perceiving others’ emotional facial expressions affect mood in people with subthreshold depression (sD). Around 49 participants were divided into the following four groups: participants with no depression (ND) presented with happy faces; ND participants presented with sad faces; sD participants presented with happy faces; and sD participants presented with sad faces. Participants were asked to answer an inventory about their emotional states before and after viewing the emotional faces to investigate the influence of emotional contagion on their mood. Regardless of depressive tendency, the groups presented with happy faces exhibited a slight increase in the happy mood score and a decrease in the sad mood score. The groups presented with sad faces exhibited an increased sad mood score and a decreased happy mood score. These results demonstrate that emotional contagion affects the mood in people with sD, as well as in individuals with ND. These results indicate that emotional contagion could relieve depressive moods in people with sD. It demonstrates the importance of the emotional facial expressions of those around people with sD such as family and friends from the viewpoint of emotional contagion.

Understanding other's emotions: From affective resonance to empathic action

2002 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa A. Parr
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Process ◽  
Emotional Contagion ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Exact Nature ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Important Process

Empathy is a developmental process whereby individuals come to understand the emotional states of others. While the exact nature of this process remains unknown, PAM's utility is that it establishes empathy along a continuum of behavior ranging from emotional contagion to cognitive forms, a very useful distinction for understanding the phylogeny and ontogeny of this important process. The model will undoubtedly fuel future research, especially from comparative domains where data are most problematic.

Mice cohabiting with familiar conspecific in chronic stress condition exhibit methamphetamine-induced locomotor sensitization and augmented consolation behavior.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Eduardo Carneiro de Oliveira ◽  
Isabela Miranda Carmona ◽  
Mariana Casarotto ◽  
Lara Maria Silveira ◽  
Anna Cecília Bezerra de Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Open Field ◽  
Chronic Stress ◽  
Restraint Stress ◽  
Emotional Contagion ◽  
Locomotor Sensitization ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Species Survival ◽  
Plus Maze ◽  
Repeated Restraint Stress ◽  
Affective Behaviors

Abstract Recognize and share emotions are essential for species survival, but in some cases, living with a conspecific in distress condition may induce negative emotional states through empathy-like processes. Studies have reported that stressors promote psychiatric disorders in both, who suffers directly and who witness these aversive episodes, principally whether social proximity is involved. However, the mechanisms underlying the harmful outcomes of emotional contagion needs more studies, mainly in the drug addiction-related behaviors. Here, we investigated the relevance of familiarity and the effects of cohabitation with a partner submitted to chronic stress in the anxiety-like, locomotor sensitization and consolation behaviors. Male swiss mice were housed in pairs during different periods to test the establishment of familiarity and the stress-induced anxiety behavior in the elevated plus maze. Another cohort was housed with a conspecific subjected to repeated restraint stress (1h/day) for 14 days. During chronic restraint the allogrooming was measured and after the stress period mice were tested in the open field for evaluation of anxiety and locomotor cross-sensitization induced by methamphetamine. We found that familiarity was established after 14 days of cohabitation and the anxiogenic behavior appeared after 14 days of stress. Repeated restraint stress also increased anxiety in the open field test and induced locomotor cross-sensitization in the stressed mice and their cagemates. Cagemates also exhibited increase in consolation behavior after stress sessions when compared to control mice. These results indicate that changes in drug abuse-related, consolation and affective behaviors may be precipitate through emotional contagion in familiar conspecifics.

Vocalization pattern analysis in the common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus);Novel method to classify emotional states of animals

2010 ◽  
Vol 68 ◽  
pp. e427
Author(s):  
Hayato Gokan ◽  
Arata Oh-Nishi ◽  
Takafumi Minamimoto ◽  
Hajime Ishii ◽  
Shigeru Watanabe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pattern Analysis ◽  
Callithrix Jacchus ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Common Marmosets ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
The Common

scholarly journals Collective Emotional Contagion in Zebrafish

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Alberto Burbano Lombana ◽  
Simone Macrì ◽  
Maurizio Porfiri
Keyword(s):  
Social Behavior ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
Biological Process ◽  
Emotional Contagion ◽  
Behavioral Pattern ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Behavioral Repertoire ◽  
Fundamental Biological Process ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Living Organisms

Seeking to match our emotional state with one of those around us is known as emotional contagion-a fundamental biological process that underlies social behavior across several species and taxa. While emotional contagion has been traditionally considered to be a prerogative of mammals and birds, recent findings are demonstrating otherwise. Here, we investigate emotional contagion in groups of zebrafish, a freshwater model species which is gaining momentum in preclinical studies. Zebrafish have high genetic homology to humans, and they exhibit a complex behavioral repertoire amenable to study social behavior. To investigate whether individual emotional states can be transmitted to group members, we pharmacologically modulated anxiety-related behaviors of a single fish through Citalopram administration and we assessed whether the altered emotional state spread to a group of four untreated conspecifics. By capitalizing upon our in-house developed tracking algorithm, we successfully preserved the identity of all the subjects and thoroughly described their individual and social behavioral phenotypes. In accordance with our predictions, we observed that Citalopram administration consistently reduced behavioral anxiety of the treated individual, in the form of reduced geotaxis, and that such a behavioral pattern readily generalized to the untreated subjects. A transfer entropy analysis of causal interactions within the group revealed that emotional contagion was directional, whereby the treated individual influenced untreated subjects, but not vice-versa. This study offers additional evidence that emotional contagion is biologically preserved in simpler living organisms amenable to preclinical investigations.

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