3D Images of Facial Expressions Evoke Stronger Emotions

The research findings highlight the sensitivity of the visual system to depth, and have implications for emotion research, entertainment industry and 3D displays.

Mediated facial expressions do not elicit emotions as strongly as real-life facial expressions. In particular, 2D photographs of facial expressions fail to evoke emotions as strongly as live faces, possibly due to the low fidelity of the pictorial presentation.

In a new study, researchers in Aalto University and University of Helsinki found that 3D facial expressions evoke stronger emotions than their 2D counterparts. Due to the illusion of non-mediation, natural depth levels create the strongest emotional amplifications. In this experiment, depth magnitude was manipulated by varying the distance between the two cameras providing the left and right images for the 3D presentation.

Until now, facial expressions have been studied by using 2D photographs and the results have been generalized to the real world. Yet stereoscopic images replicate reality more faithfully and thus are more valid stimuli, states doctoral candidate Jussi Hakala.

3D photographs trick the brain into thinking that the face in a 3D photograph is more real than in the 2D photograph, explains Hakala.

Whereas the negative valence and arousal elicited by angry expressions was most significantly amplified at the most natural depth magnitude, the positive valence elicited by happy expressions was amplified in both narrowed and natural depth conditions. The research findings are relevant for virtual and augmented reality 3D displays such as Oculus Rift, indicating that 3D content must preferably provide a natural depth percept to provide emotion-evoking experiences.

Image shows six stereoscopic image pairs used in the experiment.
Six stereoscopic image pairs used in the experiment. The images can be seen in 3D by ‘looking through’ the image. Image adapted from the Aalto University press release.

Currently, 3D is mostly used in action films to emphasize the effects, but it could be also employed to enhance the emotions conveyed by the actors, concludes Hakala.

About this psychology research

The study was conducted by Jussi Hakala and Jari Kätsyri at the Aalto University Department of Computer Science and Jukka Häkkinen at the Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki. Arousal and valence data was collected from 40 participants.

Source: Aalto University
Image Source: The image is adapted from the Aalto University press release
Original Research: Abstract for “Stereoscopy Amplifies Emotions Elicited by Facial Expressions” by Jussi Hakala and Jari Kätsyri in i-Perception. Published online November 20 2015 doi:10.1177/2041669515615071


Abstract

Stereoscopy Amplifies Emotions Elicited by Facial Expressions

Mediated facial expressions do not elicit emotions as strongly as real-life facial expressions, possibly due to the low fidelity of pictorial presentations in typical mediation technologies. In the present study, we investigated the extent to which stereoscopy amplifies emotions elicited by images of neutral, angry, and happy facial expressions. The emotional self-reports of positive and negative valence (which were evaluated separately) and arousal of 40 participants were recorded. The magnitude of perceived depth in the stereoscopic images was manipulated by varying the camera base at 15, 40, 65, 90, and 115 mm. The analyses controlled for participants’ gender, gender match, emotional empathy, and trait alexithymia. The results indicated that stereoscopy significantly amplified the negative valence and arousal elicited by angry expressions at the most natural (65 mm) camera base, whereas stereoscopy amplified the positive valence elicited by happy expressions in both the narrowed and most natural (15–65 mm) base conditions. Overall, the results indicate that stereoscopy amplifies the emotions elicited by mediated emotional facial expressions when the depth geometry is close to natural. The findings highlight the sensitivity of the visual system to depth and its effect on emotions.

“Stereoscopy Amplifies Emotions Elicited by Facial Expressions” by Jussi Hakala and Jari Kätsyri in i-Perception. Published online November 20 2015 doi:10.1177/2041669515615071

Feel free to share this neuroscience article.
Join our Newsletter
I agree to have my personal information transferred to AWeber for Neuroscience Newsletter ( more information )
Sign up to receive our recent neuroscience headlines and summaries sent to your email once a day, totally free.
We hate spam and only use your email to contact you about newsletters. You can cancel your subscription any time.