Recognition thresholds for static and dynamic emotional faces.

• DOI: 10.1037/emo0000192
• Publication Date: 2016-06-30T18:46:17Z
• Authors: Manuel G. Calvo; Pedro Avero; Andrés Fernández-...; Guillermo Recio
• Keywords: Sadness; Disgust; Surprise; Emotional expression

We investigated the minimum expressive intensity that is required to recognize (above chance) static and dynamic facial expressions of happiness, sadness, anger, disgust, fear, surprise. To this end, we varied degree emotional unfolding from a neutral face, by means graphics morphing software. The resulting face stimuli (photographs short videos) were presented in an expression categorization task for 1 s each, measures sensitivity or discrimination (A') collected establish thresholds. A number physical, perceptual, categorical, affective controls performed. All six basic emotions reliably recognized above chance level low intensities, although recognition thresholds different expressions: 20% intensity, happiness; 40%, surprise, disgust; 50%, fear. advantage happy faces may be due their greater physical change features (as shown automated measurement), also at levels relative faces. Recognition pattern confusions across were, nevertheless, equivalent expressions, more accurately faster. (PsycINFO Database Record