October 2020
Volume 20, Issue 11
Open Access
Vision Sciences Society Annual Meeting Abstract  |   October 2020
Distinct face movements boost recognition of facial expressions of emotions
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Tommaso Querci
    University of Glasgow
  • Yaocong Duan
    University of Glasgow
  • Robin AA Ince
    University of Glasgow
  • Chaona Chen
    University of Glasgow
  • Lotta K Peussa
  • Oliver GB Garrod
    University of Glasgow
  • Philippe G Schyns
    University of Glasgow
  • Rachael E Jack
    University of Glasgow
  • Footnotes
    Acknowledgements  ERC: 304001 ERC FACESYNTAX, The Economic and Social Research Council (ES/K001973/1 and ES/K00607X/1), British Academy (SG113332)
Journal of Vision October 2020, Vol.20, 1039. doi:https://doi.org/10.1167/jov.20.11.1039
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      Tommaso Querci, Yaocong Duan, Robin AA Ince, Chaona Chen, Lotta K Peussa, Oliver GB Garrod, Philippe G Schyns, Rachael E Jack; Distinct face movements boost recognition of facial expressions of emotions. Journal of Vision 2020;20(11):1039. https://doi.org/10.1167/jov.20.11.1039.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Human social communication critically relies on the accurate interpretation of nonverbal cuessuch as dynamic facial expressions, with confusions and misunderstands causing substantial negative consequences. Here, we reveal for the first time the specific dynamic face movements that drive high accuracy in emotion recognition and those which cause significant confusions. Three hundred participants (Western, 150 females, mean: 21.6, SD: 2.9 years) categorized a sub-set of 720 dynamic facial expressions models of the six classic emotions, each comprising a specific set of face movements (called Action Units – AUs; Ekman & Friesen, 1976) by emotion in a 6AFC task. To identify the specific face movements that give rise to high emotion recognition accuracy, and those that cause confusions, we measured the relationship between each AU and the participants’ recognition accuracy on each trial (i.e., correct or incorrect) using an information-theoretic analysis basedon Mutual Information (Ince et al., 2017). Results showed that, for each emotion, a specific subset of dynamic face movements drive high recognition accuracy. Specifically, recognition of fear and surprise – which are often confused – is boosted by distinct face movements: eyebrow raising (Outer/Inner Brow Raiser–AU1,2) and wide mouth opening (Jaw Drop–AU26) in surprise, and brow lowering (Brow Lowerer–AU4) and lateral mouth stretching (Lip Stretcher–AU20) in fear. A similar pattern characterized the often-confused emotions, disgust and anger – recognition of anger is boosted by mouth opening (e.g. Lip Funneler–AU22, Mouth Stretch–AU27), while disgust is boosted by nostril (Nasolabial Deepener–AU11) and eye constrictions (e.g., Cheek Raiser–AU6). Analyses of the face movements that boost recognition accuracy across emotions showed that they are highly distinct, suggesting that recognition boosters are category specific. Here, we modelled the specific face movements that drive high recognition accuracy of emotions and support optimal social communication, with implications for designing communicative digital avatars and social robots.

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