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Age Deficits in Facial Affect Recognition: The Influence of Dynamic Cues

Author

Listed:
  • Sarah A. Grainger
  • Julie D. Henry
  • Louise H. Phillips
  • Eric J. Vanman
  • Roy Allen

Abstract

Objectives:Older adults have difficulties in identifying most facial expressions of emotion. However, most aging studies have presented static photographs of intense expressions, whereas in everyday experience people see emotions that develop and change. The present study was designed to assess whether age-related difficulties with emotion recognition are reduced when more ecologically valid (i.e., dynamic) stimuli are used.Method:We examined the effect of stimuli format (i.e., static vs. dynamic) on facial affect recognition in two separate studies that included independent samples and distinct stimuli sets. In addition to younger and older participants, a middle-aged group was included in Study 1 and eye gaze patterns were assessed in Study 2.Results:Across both studies, older adults performed worse than younger adults on measures of facial affect recognition. In Study 1, older and-middle aged adults benefited from dynamic stimuli, but only when the emotional displays were subtle. Younger adults gazed more at the eye region of the face relative to older adults (Study 2), but dynamic presentation increased attention towards the eye region for younger adults only.Discussion:Together, these studies provide important and novel insights into the specific circumstances in which older adults may be expected to experience difficulties in perceiving facial emotions.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah A. Grainger & Julie D. Henry & Louise H. Phillips & Eric J. Vanman & Roy Allen, 2017. "Age Deficits in Facial Affect Recognition: The Influence of Dynamic Cues," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 72(4), pages 622-632.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:72:y:2017:i:4:p:622-632.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/geronb/gbv100
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Susan Sullivan & Ted Ruffman & Sam B. Hutton, 2007. "Age Differences in Emotion Recognition Skills and the Visual Scanning of Emotion Faces," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 62(1), pages 53-60.
    2. Ted Ruffman & Jamin Halberstadt & Janice Murray, 2009. "Recognition of Facial, Auditory, and Bodily Emotions in Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 64(6), pages 696-703.
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