Abstract
Responses to affective images are organised around the dimensions of valence, arousal and approach-avoidance motivation (Watson et al., 1999). These dimensions are mapped onto specific physiological systems (e.g. startle blink responses) and drive the emotional response differently. Apart from these dimensions, another major factor driving emotional response is provided through the phenomenon of emotional mimicry and more specifically through facial mimicry (Moody et al., 2017). Despite this effect, the contribution to emotional response of facial information and affective scene response have mostly been studied separately. To bridge the gap between these two areas, we are investigating the effect of facial information in the context of complex scenes. We are collecting data from 40 participants. During the experiment, participants are presented with images from 5 categories (neutral, erotic, mutilation, threat and positive people scenes). These images are presented in their intact form (intact condition) and in an altered form (pixelated condition) where facial information of people in the scenes has been pixelated. The participants’ task is to rate the valence and arousal of the pictures with the Self-Assessment Manikin (Bradley & Lang, 1994). We are also collecting participants’ physiological responses to the images using facial electromyography and electrodermal activity. We are measuring the activity of the corrugator supercilli, zygomaticus major and orbicularis oculi muscles to assess responses of valence and finger electrodermal activity to assess responses of arousal. Preliminary gamma GLM analyses of 5 participants indicate a significant main effect of condition (chi2=74.903, df=1, p=0.0009) in the zygomaticus and a significant main effect of image category (chi2=325.43, df=4, p< 0.001) in the corrugator. Overall, this study will provide a better understanding of the contribution of facial information in the context of complex scenes and will inform professional organisations of practices which can improve workplace emotional well-being in employees exposed to distressing images.