How We Process Emotion Words How We Process Emotion Words Graham G. Scott Sara C. Sereno Patrick J. O’Donnell

Background How do the emotional properties of a stimulus influence our processing? Behavioural Evidence: Most studies show that negative stimuli are responded to fastest (e.g., Wurm et al., 2003). A growing minority of studies demonstrate faster responses to positive stimuli (e.g., Kakolewski et al., 1999). But previous research is limited.

Behavioural Study Simple LDT. 3 x 2 design: Frequency (high, low). Target word (positive, negative, neutral). 40 words in each category HF-pos, HF-neg, HF-neut LF-pos, LF-neg, LF-neut

Behavioural Study Arousal Valence Frequency LengthExample LF PositiveHighHigh8 7valentine NeutralLowMiddle7 7appliance NegativeHighLow7 7suffocate HF PositiveHighHigh62 6exercise NeutralLowMiddle67 6village NegativeHighLow50 6accident

Reaction Time Results

Discussion Results seem to favour a perceptual defence based theory, such as Taylor’s Mobilisation- Minimisation hypothesis. Early identification of the emotional tone of words leads to differential processing. HF negative words seem to attract additional cognitive resources.

Eye-Tracking Study Never done before. More on-line than LDT. 3 x 2 design: Frequency (high, low). Target word (positive, negative, neutral). 15 sentences of each type: HF-pos, HF-neg, HF-neut LF-pos, LF-neg, LF-neut

Eye-Tracking Study kissbombnews Phoebe discussed the _____ at great length with her friends. Michelle dreamt about the _____ every night for weeks. Tom delivered the _____ with great care and attention.

Eye Tracking Results

Discussion Eye movement study supports results of behavioural study. Same basic pattern of effects Inconsistencies may be due to fewer items per condition in reading study (15 vs 40), or that eye movements are more sensitive to early emotional effects. Next step: sentences in paragraphs.

Eye-Tracking Study The little boy was running down the hill. He was playing with the puppy he got for Christmas. His mother came to pick him up. Gordon was in the woods behind his house. He fell, cutting himself badly and breaking his leg. It was hours before he returned home. The accountant was taking a long stroll. He was wearing a blue sweatshirt, jeans and trainers. There was no one else for miles around.

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