The pattern of force produced during approach-avoidance movements is independent of emotional valence

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg Dam ◽  
Zach Catron ◽  
Cassidy Segura Clouse
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Times ◽  
Emotional Valence ◽  
Emotional Stimuli ◽  
Approach And Avoidance ◽  
Negative Valence ◽  
Approach Behaviors ◽  
Direction Of Movement ◽  
Approach Avoidance ◽  
Positive Valence ◽  
Pushing And Pulling

Movements that include pushing away and pulling towards oneself are important avoidance and approach behaviors, respectively. Previous research has demonstrated that reaction times are more rapid when approach-like movements are undertaken in response to pleasant emotional stimuli and when avoidant movements are carried out in response to unpleasant emotional stimuli. However, few studies have directly investigated the forces applied during self-referenced approach or avoidance movements. Here we measured the sustained forces of pushing and pulling in response to emotional images. The images presented varied in ratings of emotional arousal (i.e., relaxing versus exciting) and valence (positive valence, or pleasant, versus negative valence, or unpleasant). Our results replicate previous findings that documented force produced in response to unpleasant images. Our findings also revealed that, in contrast to their impact on reaction times, the effects of emotional stimuli on the sustained forces associated with approach and avoidance responses are independent of the direction of movement.

Emotionality effects in ambiguous word recognition: The crucial role of the affective congruence between distinct meanings of ambiguous words

2021 ◽  
pp. 174702182199000
Author(s):  
Pilar Ferré ◽  
Juan Haro ◽  
Daniel Huete-Pérez ◽  
Isabel Fraga
Keyword(s):  
Word Processing ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Ambiguous Word ◽  
Semantic Ambiguity ◽  
Negative Valence ◽  
Ambiguous Words ◽  
Positive Valence ◽  
Affective Meanings ◽  
Valence Effect ◽  
Affective Word

There is substantial evidence that affectively charged words (e.g., party or gun) are processed differently from neutral words (e.g., pen), although there are also inconsistent findings in the field. Some lexical or semantic variables might explain such inconsistencies, due to the possible modulation of affective word processing by these variables. The aim of the present study was to examine the extent to which affective word processing is modulated by semantic ambiguity. We conducted a large lexical decision study including semantically ambiguous words (e.g., cataract) and semantically unambiguous words (e.g., terrorism), analysing the extent to which reaction times (RTs) were influenced by their affective properties. The findings revealed a valence effect in which positive valence made RTs faster, whereas negative valence slowed them. The valence effect diminished as the semantic ambiguity of words increased. This decrease did not affect all ambiguous words, but was observed mainly in ambiguous words with incongruent affective meanings. These results highlight the need to consider the affective properties of the distinct meanings of ambiguous words in research on affective word processing.

Spatial metaphors in antonym pairs across sign languages

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 112-141
Author(s):  
Carl Börstell ◽  
Ryan Lepic
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Valence ◽  
Movement Direction ◽  
Physical Sign ◽  
Sign Languages ◽  
Negative Valence ◽  
Manual Analysis ◽  
Linguistic Patterns ◽  
Systematic Pattern ◽  
Positive Valence ◽  
Over Time

Abstract We analyze sign locations in 776 signs from 16 antonym pairs across 27 sign languages to examine metaphorical mappings of emotional valence (positive vs. negative) along different spatial axes. We conduct both an automatic and a manual analysis of sign location and movement direction, to investigate cross-linguistic patterns of spatial valence contrasts. Contrary to our hypothesis, negative valence concepts are generally articulated higher up than their positive counterparts. However, when we consider movement in space, we find that although signs generally move downward over time, positive valence concepts are associated with upward movements more often than their negative counterparts. This points to a systematic pattern for vertical valence contrasts – a known metaphor across languages – iconically mapped onto physical sign articulation. We similarly, but surprisingly, find a difference in movements along the sagittal axis, such that outward movement is associated with positive valence concepts more often than negative.

scholarly journals The Effect of Stimulus Valence on Lexical Retrieval in Younger and Older Adults

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (7) ◽  
pp. 2081-2089 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deena Schwen Blackett ◽  
Stacy M. Harnish ◽  
Jennifer P. Lundine ◽  
Alexandra Zezinka ◽  
Eric W. Healy
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Naming Latency ◽  
Emotional Valence ◽  
Lexical Retrieval ◽  
Emotional Stimuli ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Attentional Resources ◽  
Negative Images ◽  
Naming Latencies

Purpose Although there is evidence that emotional valence of stimuli impacts lexical processes, there is limited work investigating its specific impact on lexical retrieval. The current study aimed to determine the degree to which emotional valence of pictured stimuli impacts naming latencies in healthy younger and older adults. Method Eighteen healthy younger adults and 18 healthy older adults named positive, negative, and neutral images, and reaction time was measured. Results Reaction times for positive and negative images were significantly longer than reaction times for neutral images. Reaction times for positive and negative images were not significantly different. Whereas older adults demonstrated significantly longer naming latencies overall than younger adults, the discrepancy in latency with age was far greater when naming emotional pictures. Conclusions Emotional arousal of pictures appears to impact naming latency in younger and older adults. We hypothesize that the increase in naming latency for emotional stimuli is the result of a necessary disengagement of attentional resources from the emotional images prior to completion of the naming task. We propose that this process may affect older adults disproportionately due to a decline in attentional resources as part of normal aging, combined with a greater attentional preference for emotional stimuli.

scholarly journals Caregiving Appraisals and Emotional Valence: Buffering Effect of Activity Participation

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 53-53
Author(s):  
Jeongeun Lee ◽  
Nicholas Cone
Keyword(s):  
Factor Model ◽  
Emotional Valence ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
National Study ◽  
Activity Restriction ◽  
Negative Valence ◽  
Representative Study ◽  
Negative Appraisal ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Positive Valence

Abstract Caregiving activities often lead to positive and negative appraisal for caregivers. Caregivers may limit social participation due to caregiving activities. Changes in level of activity participation could have profound consequences for caregiver’s valence. However, little is known about how activity participation could moderate the association between these caregiving appraisals and emotional valence. Data came from the National Study of Caregiving (Round 1 and 2), a nationally representative study of caregivers. Referencing Lawton’s two-factor model (1990), we examined both the level and changes in activity restriction interacting with positive and negative caregiving appraisals to predict both valence across two waves. Consistent with two factor models, findings revealed level and changes in activity restriction moderated the relationship between caregiving appraisal and outcomes for both valences. These findings highlight the role of activity restriction as a target to reduce negative valence and improve positive valence for caregivers.

scholarly journals Parallel valence processing alterations associated with compulsive behavior in SAPAP3 knockout mice and human OCD

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bridget L. Kajs ◽  
Peter J. van Roessel ◽  
Gwynne L. Davis ◽  
Leanne M. Williams ◽  
Carolyn I. Rodriguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Valence ◽  
Rodent Model ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Rodent Models ◽  
Compulsive Behavior ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Implicit Processing ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Negative Valence ◽  
Positive Valence

Abnormalities in valence processing - the processing of aversive or appetitive stimuli - may be an underrecognized component of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Independent experimental paradigms have suggested disturbance of emotional valence systems in OCD, yet no standardized assay has been employed to assess both negative and positive valence processing in clinical studies of OCD patients, either at baseline or in response to therapeutic interventions. Additionally, preclinical rodent models are critical for treatment discovery in OCD, yet investigations examining whether rodent models of compulsive behavior similarly show alterations in valence systems have been limited. We sought to establish paradigms for assessing valence processing across both human OCD patients and in a preclinical rodent model: in OCD patients, we used validated behavioral tests to assess explicit and implicit processing of fear-related facial expressions (negative valence) and socially-rewarding happy expressions (positive valence); in the SAPAP3 knockout (KO) mouse model of compulsive behavior, we used auditory fear conditioning and extinction (negative valence) and reward-based operant conditioning (positive valence). We find that OCD patients show enhanced negative and impaired positive valence processing, and that performance on valence processing tasks correlates with clinical measures of OCD severity. We further find that SAPAP3 KO mice show heightened negative and impaired positive valence processing alterations similar to those of OCD patients. Our results show parallel valence processing abnormalities in OCD patients and a preclinical rodent model of compulsive behavior, and suggest valence processing alterations as novel therapeutic targets across a translational research spectrum.

Instruction-Based Approach-Avoidance Effects

2015 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pieter Van Dessel ◽  
Jan De Houwer ◽  
Anne Gast ◽  
Colin Tucker Smith
Keyword(s):  
Implicit Association Test ◽  
Avoidance Training ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Implicit Association ◽  
Approach And Avoidance ◽  
Evaluative Priming ◽  
Blacks And Whites ◽  
Approach Avoidance ◽  
Implicit And Explicit ◽  
Explicit Measures

Prior research suggests that repeatedly approaching or avoiding a certain stimulus changes the liking of this stimulus. We investigated whether these effects of approach and avoidance training occur also when participants do not perform these actions but are merely instructed about the stimulus-action contingencies. Stimulus evaluations were registered using both implicit (Implicit Association Test and evaluative priming) and explicit measures (valence ratings). Instruction-based approach-avoidance effects were observed for relatively neutral fictitious social groups (i.e., Niffites and Luupites), but not for clearly valenced well-known social groups (i.e., Blacks and Whites). We conclude that instructions to approach or avoid stimuli can provide sufficient bases for establishing both implicit and explicit evaluations of novel stimuli and discuss several possible reasons for why similar instruction-based approach-avoidance effects were not found for valenced well-known stimuli.

scholarly journals EXPRESS: When Symmetric and Curved Visual Contour Meet Intentional Instructions: Hedonic Value and Preference

2021 ◽  
pp. 174702182110215
Author(s):  
Erick G. Chuquichambi Apaza ◽  
Guido B. Corradi ◽  
Enric Munar ◽  
Jaume Rosselló-Mir
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Experimental Session ◽  
Hedonic Tone ◽  
Stimulus Response ◽  
Negative Valence ◽  
Visual Contour ◽  
Positive Valence ◽  
Positive And Negative Valence ◽  
Implicit And Explicit ◽  
Explicit Measures

Symmetry and contour take part in shaping visual preference. However, less is known about their combined contribution to preference. We examined the hedonic tone and preference triggered by the interaction of symmetry and contour. Symmetric/curved, symmetric/sharp-angled, asymmetric/curved, and asymmetric/sharp-angled stimuli were presented in an implicit and explicit task. The implicit task consisted of an affective stimulus-response compatibility task where participants matched the stimuli with positive and negative valence response cues. The explicit task recorded liking ratings from the same stimuli. We used instructed mindset to induce participants to focus on symmetry or contour in different parts of the experimental session. We found an implicit compatibility of symmetry and curvature with positive hedonic tone. Explicit results showed preference for symmetry and curvature. In both tasks, symmetry and curvature showed a cumulative interaction, with a larger contribution of symmetry to the overall effect. While symmetric and asymmetric stimuli contributed to the implicit positive valence of symmetry, the effect of curvature was mainly caused by inclination toward curved contours rather than rejection of sharp-angled contours. We did not find any correlation between implicit and explicit measures, suggesting that they may involve different cognitive processing.

scholarly journals Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Emotional Memory Scale

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Fijtman ◽  
Letícia Sanguinetti Czepielewski ◽  
Ana Cláudia Mércio Loredo Souza ◽  
Paul Felder ◽  
Marcia Kauer-Sant'Anna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Adaptation ◽  
Negative Selection ◽  
Emotional Valence ◽  
Emotional Memory ◽  
Brazilian Portuguese ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Emotional Stimuli ◽  
Cross Cultural Adaptation ◽  
Portuguese Version ◽  
Culturally Adapted

Abstract Background Emotional memory is an important type of memory that is triggered by positive and negative emotions. It is characterized by an enhanced memory for emotional stimuli which is usually coupled with a decrease in memory of neutral preceding events. Emotional memory is strongly associated with amygdala function and therefore could be disrupted in neuropsychiatric disorders. To our knowledge, there is no translated and culturally adapted instrument for the Brazilian Portuguese speaking population to assess emotional memory. Objective To report the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of a Brazilian Portuguese version of the Emotional Memory Scale, originally published by Strange et al. in 2003. Methods The author of the original scale provided 36 lists with 16 words each. Translation was performed by three independent bilingual translators. Healthy subjects assessed how semantically related each word was within the list (0 to 10) and what the emotional valence of each word was (-6 to +6). Lists without negative words were excluded (negative selection), most positive and most unrelated words were excluded (positive and semantic selection, respectively), and lists with low semantic relationship were excluded (semantic assessment). Results Five lists were excluded during negative selection, four words from each list were excluded in positive and semantic selection, and 11 lists were excluded during semantic assessment. Finally, we reached 20 lists of semantically related words; each list had one negative word and 11 neutral words. Conclusion A scale is now available to evaluate emotional memory in the Brazilian population and requires further validation on its psychometrics properties.

Approach and avoidance learning in patients with major depression and healthy controls: relation to anhedonia

2009 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 433-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. W. Chase ◽  
M. J. Frank ◽  
A. Michael ◽  
E. T. Bullmore ◽  
B. J. Sahakian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Reinforcement ◽  
Negative Reinforcement ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Negative Bias ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Approach And Avoidance ◽  
Depressed Patients ◽  
Increased Sensitivity ◽  
Global Reduction

BackgroundCentral to understanding of the behavioural consequences of depression has been the theory that the disorder is accompanied by an increased sensitivity to negative compared with positive reinforcement (negative bias), whereas other theorists have emphasized a global reduction in sensitivity to reinforcement in depression (blunting).MethodIn this study, we used a probabilistic selection task that was designed to examine independently rates of learning to predict both positive and negative reinforcement. Twenty-three depressed out-patients and 23 healthy controls from the local population participated in the study.ResultsNo evidence for a negative bias was observed on the task, either during acquisition of the task or during generalization of the learned information. Depressed patients responded slower on the task than controls but showed a similar modulation of reaction times (RTs) as controls following reinforcement. Evidence for blunting was observed on the training phase, as reflected in reduced trial-by-trial adjustment during this phase. However, this effect was related specifically to the severity of anhedonia, as measured by the Snaith–Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS), and was independent of overall depression severity.ConclusionsWe argue that the observation of a negative bias or blunting in a group of depressed patients may be dependent on the neuropsychological task and the symptoms of the patients tested. Our results provide insight into how these theories might be further tested.

Associations between social control, motivation, and exercise: How romantic partners influence exercise during young adulthood

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 1425-1435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiffany L Berzins ◽  
Judith Gere ◽  
Scout M Kelly ◽  
John A Updegraff
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Social Control ◽  
Young Adulthood ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Romantic Partner ◽  
Approach And Avoidance ◽  
Control Motivation ◽  
Approach Avoidance ◽  
Exercise Motives ◽  
And Behavior

This study investigated whether positive and negative romantic partner social control attempts (persuasion and pressure, respectively) were related to approach-avoidance motives and exercise among young adults ( N = 98), using daily reports. Daily persuasion was linked to higher daily approach motives. At the person level, persuasion was associated with higher approach and avoidance motives in addition to more frequent, longer exercise. Pressure was associated with higher daily relationship stress, which was associated with higher daily avoidance motives. At the person level, pressure was related to less frequent, shorter exercise. Thus, romantic partners’ social control use correlates with exercise motives and behavior.

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