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Amplification in the evaluation of multiple emotional expressions over time

Author

Listed:
  • Amit Goldenberg

    (Harvard University)

  • Jonas Schöne

    (University of Oxford)

  • Zi Huang

    (Harvard University)

  • Timothy D. Sweeny

    (University of Denver)

  • Desmond C. Ong

    (National University of Singapore
    Agency for Science, Technology and Research)

  • Timothy F. Brady

    (University of California)

  • Maria M. Robinson

    (University of California)

  • David Levari

    (Harvard University)

  • Jamil Zaki

    (Stanford University)

  • James J. Gross

    (Stanford University)

Abstract

Social interactions are dynamic and unfold over time. To make sense of social interactions, people must aggregate sequential information into summary, global evaluations. But how do people do this? Here, to address this question, we conducted nine studies (N = 1,583) using a diverse set of stimuli. Our focus was a central aspect of social interaction—namely, the evaluation of others’ emotional responses. The results suggest that when aggregating sequences of images and videos expressing varying degrees of emotion, perceivers overestimate the sequence’s average emotional intensity. This tendency for overestimation is driven by stronger memory of more emotional expressions. A computational model supports this account and shows that amplification cannot be explained only by nonlinear perception of individual exemplars. Our results demonstrate an amplification effect in the perception of sequential emotional information, which may have implications for the many types of social interactions that involve repeated emotion estimation.

Suggested Citation

  • Amit Goldenberg & Jonas Schöne & Zi Huang & Timothy D. Sweeny & Desmond C. Ong & Timothy F. Brady & Maria M. Robinson & David Levari & Jamil Zaki & James J. Gross, 2022. "Amplification in the evaluation of multiple emotional expressions over time," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 6(10), pages 1408-1416, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:6:y:2022:i:10:d:10.1038_s41562-022-01390-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-022-01390-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Dmitry A. Koch & Evgenia E. Fedorova & Dmitry V. Lyusin, 2024. "Induced Anxiety Influences The Perception Of Negative Facial Expressions In Single Faces And Face Ensembles," HSE Working papers WP BRP 140PSY2024, National Research University Higher School of Economics.

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