scholarly journals The effect of being watched on facial EMG and autonomic activity in response to another individual’s facial expressions

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jari K. Hietanen ◽  
Anneli Kylliäinen ◽  
Mikko J. Peltola
Keyword(s):  
Facial Expression ◽  
Facial Expressions ◽  
Skin Conductance ◽  
The Self ◽  
The Other ◽  
Autonomic Arousal ◽  
Autonomic Activity ◽  
Autonomic Responses ◽  
Facial Emg ◽  
Skin Conductance Responses

Abstract We tested if facial reactions to another person’s facial expressions depend on the self-relevance of the observed expressions. In the present study (n = 44), we measured facial electromyographic (zygomatic and corrugator) activity and autonomic arousal (skin conductance) responses to a live model’s smiling and neutral faces. In one condition, the participant and the model were able to see each other normally, whereas in the other condition, the participant was led to believe that the model could not see the participant. The results showed that the increment of zygomatic activity in response to smiling faces versus neutral faces was greater when the participants believed they were being watched than it was when the participants believed they were not being watched. However, zygomatic responses to smiles did not differ between the conditions, while the results suggested that the participants’ zygomatic responses to neutral faces seemed to attenuate in the condition of believing they were being watched. Autonomic responses to smiling faces were greater in the belief of being watched than in the belief of not being watched condition. The results suggest that the self-relevance of another individual’s facial expression modulates autonomic arousal responses and to a lesser extent facial EMG responses.

scholarly journals Identification of Emotions in Offenders With Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASP)

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-16
Author(s):  
Catarina Iria ◽  
Fernando Barbosa ◽  
Rui Paixão
Keyword(s):  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Facial Expressions ◽  
Skin Conductance ◽  
Antisocial Personality Disorder ◽  
Monetary Reward ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Antisocial Personality ◽  
Response Cost ◽  
Skin Conductance Responses ◽  
Facial Expressions Of Emotion

Abstract. A group of offenders with antisocial personality (ASP) and a control group identified facial expressions of emotion under three conditions: monetary reward, monetary response cost, and no contingency, to explore effects on the antisocial offenders’ deficits commonly reported in these tasks. Skin Conductance Responses (SCRs) indexed emotional arousal. Offenders with ASP performed worse than controls under reward and no contingency conditions, but under the response-cost condition results were similar. The offenders with ASP presented higher SCR than the controls in the two monetary conditions. Findings suggest that offenders with ASP are hypersensitive to monetary contingencies; monetary reward seems to interfere negatively in their performance while monetary response cost improves it. Arousal level seems unable to explain ability to identify facial affects, while results suggest that methodological variations may explain the conflicting results in the literature.

scholarly journals Dynamic integration and segregation of amygdala subregional functional circuits linking to physiological arousal

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yimeng Zeng ◽  
Fuxiang Tao ◽  
Zaixu Cui ◽  
Liyun Wu ◽  
Jiahua Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Conductance ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Functional Organization ◽  
Physiological Arousal ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Autonomic Arousal ◽  
Autonomic Responses ◽  
Connectivity Patterns ◽  
Brain Circuitry ◽  
Dynamic Integration

AbstractThe dynamical organization of brain networks is essential to support human cognition and emotion for rapid adaption to ever-changing environment. As the core nodes of emotion-related brain circuitry, the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and centromedial amygdala (CMA) are recognized as two major amygdalar nuclei that regulate distinct affective functions and internal autonomic responses via their unique connections with cortical and subcortical structures in rodents. However, little is known how the dynamical organization of emotion-related brain circuitry reflects internal autonomic responses in humans. Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with concurrent recording of skin conductance, we show robust dynamic integration and segregation states of amygdala subregion-related intrinsic functional networks linked to spontaneous autonomic arousal. Time-varying connectivity analysis of resting-state fMRI data with K-means clustering approach revealed two distinct states of BLA- and CMA-based connectivity patterns, with a segregation state showing generally stronger BLA- than CMA-based connectivity with cortical regions, and an integration state showing substantial overlapping, in a spatiotemporal manner, between BLA- and CMA-based connectivity networks. Critically, further analysis of skin conductance revealed that state-specific BLA- and CMA-based connectivity patterns were predictive of fluctuations of skin conductance, with higher predictive accuracy in the integration than segregation states. There are distinct BLA and CMA target network configurations in the integration and segregation states that predict spontaneous skin conductance levels and likely reflect spontaneous autonomic or physiological arousal. Our findings highlight dynamic functional organization of emotion-related amygdala nuclei circuits and networks and its links to spontaneous autonomic arousal in humans.

Autonomic Arousal in Eating Disorders: Further Evidence for the Clinical Subdivision of Anorexia Nervosa

1983 ◽  
Vol 142 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Calloway ◽  
Peter Fonagy ◽  
Anthony Wakeling
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Bulimia Nervosa ◽  
Skin Conductance ◽  
Skin Conductance Level ◽  
Autonomic Arousal ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Skin Conductance Responses ◽  
Conductance Level

SummaryAutonomic arousal, measured by skin conductance level and response, was examined in 36 female patients with eating disorders (anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa) and 32 control subjects. No differences were found between the control group and anorexics who lost weight solely through dieting (restricting anorexics). Patients with a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa and anorexics with bulimic features, however, showed fewer spontaneous skin conductance responses and were faster to habituate to 85 dB tones than either controls or restricting anorexic patients. The pattern of findings supports recent views concerning the clinical subdivision of anorexia nervosa.

scholarly journals Oxytocin enhances the recovery of eye-contact induced autonomic arousal: A treatment mechanism study with placebo-controlled design

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicky Daniels ◽  
Jellina Prinsen ◽  
Javier R. Soriano ◽  
Kaat Alaerts
Keyword(s):  
Skin Conductance ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Social Stress ◽  
Eye Contact ◽  
Pivotal Role ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Autonomic Arousal ◽  
Social Responsiveness ◽  
Skin Conductance Responses

AbstractThe neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) is suggested to exert a pivotal role in a variety of complex human behaviors, including trust, attachment, social perception and fear-regulation. Previous studies have demonstrated that intranasal administration of OT reduces subjective and neuroendocrine stress responses and dampens amygdala reactivity. Moreover, OT has been proposed to modulate activity of the autonomic nervous system.Here, we conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 56 men, to investigate whether a single-dose of OT (24 IU) modulates sympathetic autonomic arousal upon live dyadic gaze interactions. To do so, electro-dermal recordings of skin conductance were performed during the engagement of eye contact with a live model in a naturalistic two-person social context.In accordance to prior research, direct eye gaze elicited a significant enhancement in skin conductance responses, but OT did not specifically enhance or dampen the overall magnitude (amplitude) of the autonomic arousal response. Administration of OT did facilitate the recovery of skin conductance responses back to baseline (increased steepness of recovery slope), indicating a role of OT in restoring homeostatic balance. Notably, the treatment-effect on autonomic recovery was most prominent in participants with low self-reported social responsiveness and high attachment avoidance, indicating that person-dependent factors play a pivotal role in determining OT treatment-responses. Behaviorally, OT significantly reduced self-reported feelings of tension and (at trend-level) worrying about how one presents oneself.Together, these observations add further evidence to a role of OT in reducing subjective and autonomic stress responses, primarily by facilitating restoration of homeostatic balance after (social) stress-induced perturbation.

scholarly journals Effects of Affctive Ambiguity on Emotion Regulation through Affect Labeling

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miyu Matsuguma ◽  
Mariko Shirai ◽  
Makoto Miyatani ◽  
Takashi Nakao
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Facial Expressions ◽  
Skin Conductance ◽  
Skin Conductance Level ◽  
Stimulus Presentation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Affect Labeling ◽  
Emotion Word ◽  
Skin Conductance Responses

Putting feelings into words, called affect labeling, has been shown to attenuate emotional responses. However, labeling ambiguous emotional states may reduce the emotion regulation effect because it is difficult to categorize such feelings. Conversely, it may prove more effective by reducing feelings of uncertainty. The current study aimed to investigate how affect labeling in affective ambiguity influences emotion regulation effects on the subjective intensity of feelings, skin conductance level, and skin conductance response. Participants were asked to rate the intensity of their feelings after being presented with images of clear facial expressions for the prototypical condition and morphed facial expressions for the ambiguous condition. In addition, participants assigned to the labeling group selected the emotion word that best matched their own feelings during the stimulus presentation. As a result, affect labeling increased skin conductance responses during presentation only in the prototypical condition, suggesting the possibility of different effects according to affective ambiguity. However, both subjective and physiological responses did not decline, contrary to previous research. We discuss the consequences and the experimental characteristics, and propose a direction for future research.

Depressive and Elative Mood Inductions as a Function of Exaggerated versus Contradictory Facial Expressions

1989 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 443-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia T. Riccelli ◽  
Carol E. Antila ◽  
J. Alexander Dale ◽  
Herbert L. Klions
Keyword(s):  
Facial Expression ◽  
Facial Expressions ◽  
Scoring System ◽  
Mood Induction ◽  
The Other ◽  
Facial Action ◽  
Adjective Checklist ◽  
Visual Scoring ◽  
Induction Sequence ◽  
Affect Adjective

Two studies concerned the relation between facial expression cognitive induction of mood and perception of mood in women undergraduates. In Exp. 1, 20 subjects were randomly assigned to a group who were instructed in exaggerated facial expressions (Demand Group) and 20 subjects were randomly assigned to a group who were not instructed (Nondemand Group). All subjects completed a modified Velten (1968) elation- and depression-induction sequence. Ratings of depression on the Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist increased during the depression condition and decreased during the elation condition. Subjects made more facial expressions in the Demand Group than the Nondemand Group from electromyogram measures of the zygomatic and corrugator muscles and from corresponding action unit measures from visual scoring using the Facial Action Scoring System. Subjects who were instructed in the Demand Group rated their depression as more severe during the depression slides than the other group. No such effect was noted during the elation condition. In Exp. 2, 16 women were randomly assigned to a group who were instructed in facial expressions contradictory to those expected on the depression and elation tasks (Contradictory Expression Group). Another 16 women were randomly assigned to a group who were given no instructions about facial expressions (Nondemand Group). All subjects completed the depression- and elation-induction sequence mentioned in Exp. 1. No differences were reported between groups on the ratings of depression (MAACL) for the depression-induction or for the elation-induction but both groups rated depression higher after the depression condition and lower after the elation condition. Electromyographic and facial action scores verified that subjects in the Contradictory Expression Group were making the requested contradictory facial expressions during the mood-induction sequences. It was concluded that the primary influence on emotion came from the cognitive mood-induction sequences. Facial expressions only seem to modify the emotion in the case of depression being exacerbated by frowning. A contradictory facial expression did not affect the rating of an emotion.

Relative preservation of the recognition of positive facial expression “happiness” in Alzheimer disease

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yohko Maki ◽  
Hiroshi Yoshida ◽  
Tomoharu Yamaguchi ◽  
Haruyasu Yamaguchi
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer Disease ◽  
Facial Expression ◽  
Facial Expressions ◽  
The Other ◽  
Spatial Processing ◽  
Facial Features ◽  
Confounding Factors ◽  
Verbal Processing ◽  
Verbal Labels ◽  
Normal Controls

ABSTRACTBackground:Positivity recognition bias has been reported for facial expression as well as memory and visual stimuli in aged individuals, whereas emotional facial recognition in Alzheimer disease (AD) patients is controversial, with possible involvement of confounding factors such as deficits in spatial processing of non-emotional facial features and in verbal processing to express emotions. Thus, we examined whether recognition of positive facial expressions was preserved in AD patients, by adapting a new method that eliminated the influences of these confounding factors.Methods:Sensitivity of six basic facial expressions (happiness, sadness, surprise, anger, disgust, and fear) was evaluated in 12 outpatients with mild AD, 17 aged normal controls (ANC), and 25 young normal controls (YNC). To eliminate the factors related to non-emotional facial features, averaged faces were prepared as stimuli. To eliminate the factors related to verbal processing, the participants were required to match the images of stimulus and answer, avoiding the use of verbal labels.Results:In recognition of happiness, there was no difference in sensitivity between YNC and ANC, and between ANC and AD patients. AD patients were less sensitive than ANC in recognition of sadness, surprise, and anger. ANC were less sensitive than YNC in recognition of surprise, anger, and disgust. Within the AD patient group, sensitivity of happiness was significantly higher than those of the other five expressions.Conclusions:In AD patient, recognition of happiness was relatively preserved; recognition of happiness was most sensitive and was preserved against the influences of age and disease.

scholarly journals The influence of spatial location on same-different judgments of facial identity and expression

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurryce Starks ◽  
Anna Shafer-Skelton ◽  
Michela Paradiso ◽  
Aleix M. Martinez ◽  
Julie Golomb
Keyword(s):  
Facial Expression ◽  
Facial Expressions ◽  
Real World ◽  
Spatial Location ◽  
The Other ◽  
Location Information ◽  
Object Representations ◽  
Facial Identity ◽  
Spatial Location Information ◽  
Behavioral Phenomenon

The “spatial congruency bias” is a behavioral phenomenon where two objects presented sequentially are more likely to be judged as being the same object if they are presented in the same location (Golomb et al., 2014), suggesting that irrelevant spatial location information may be bound to object representations. Here, we examine whether the spatial congruency bias extends to higher-level object judgments of facial identity and expression. On each trial, two real-world faces were sequentially presented in variable screen locations, and subjects were asked to make same-different judgments on the facial expression (Experiments 1-2) or facial identity (Experiment 3) of the stimuli. We observed a robust spatial congruency bias for judgements of facial identity, yet a more fragile one for judgements of facial expression. Subjects were more likely to judge two faces as displaying the same expression if they were presented in the same location (compared to in different locations), but only when the faces shared the same identity. On the other hand, a spatial congruency bias was found when subjects made judgements on facial identity, even across faces displaying different facial expressions. These findings suggest a possible difference between the binding of facial identity and facial expression to spatial location.

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