Emotion Words Emotion Words Graham G. Scott (supervisor: Dr. Sara C. Sereno)

How do we process emotional stimuli?

But What about Words? 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.

But What about Words? Electrophysiological Evidence: It is well-established that the amygdala is involved in the processing of negative stimuli, including words. Hamann & Mao (2002) suggest it also plays a role in positive processing. Tabert et al. (2001) found a correlation between amygdala and occipital cortex activity, indicating that the amygdala might influence early visual processing.

But What about Words? Electrophysiological Evidence: There is more activity in the RH following the presentation of emotive than neutral stimuli (e.g., Tabert et al., 2001), with different specific areas being cited in different studies. Electrophysiological evidence shows an increase in amplitude of early ERP components – in the P1 and N1 for negative compared to positive stimuli, and in N2 for negative compared to neutral stimuli (Bernat et al., 2001; Ortigue et al., 2004).

But What about Words? And where does frequency fit in? 3 experiments: Behavioural Study (lexical decision) Eye Movement Study ERP Study

What Are Emotion Words? ArousalValenceExample PositiveHighHighvalentine NeutralLowMiddleappliance NegativeHighLowsuffocate

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

Reaction Time Results

Discussion There could be several reasons for these findings: Perceptual defence (McGuinness, 1949) Positive bias But Perceptual defence is more likely

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

ERPs Taken during the LDT task Carried out in Hartmut’s lab

ERPs

Discussion Frequency effects normally demonstrated in the N1 (notably, using emotionally neutral words) were masked by a reverse frequency effect for negative words Results seem to favour a perceptual defence based theory, such as Taylor’s Mobilisation-Minimisation hypothesis: - For HF negative words, initial processing facilitation is offset by the disruptive effects of highly activated (HF) negative valence

Discussion These data suggest that an early identification of the emotional tone of words leads to differential processing. Specifically, HF negative words seem to attract additional cognitive resources This is consistent with a time-line in which emotional quality either accompanies or precedes (but does not follow) lexical access (Taylor & Fragopanogos, 2005)

Next Step Expand from words in sentences to larger contexts Investigate priming Investigate subcategories if emotional words

Next Step 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.

The End