A Study of Visual Recognition of Facial Emotional Expressions in a Normal Aging Population in the Absence of Cognitive Disorders

Abstract

Objective: To examine and\rmeasure the decision-making processes involved in Visual Recognition of Facial\rEmotional Expressions (VRFEE) and to study the effects of demographic factors\ron this process. Method: We evaluated a newly designed software application\r(M.A.R.I.E.) that permits computerized metric measurement of VRFEE. We\radministered it to 204 cognitively normal participants ranging in age from 20\rto 70 years. Results: We established normative values for the recognition of\ranger, disgust, joy, fear, surprise and sadness expressed on the faces of three\rindividuals. There was a significant difference in the: 1) measurement (F\r(8.189) = 3896, p = 0.0001); 2) education level (x2(12) = 28.4, p = 0.005);\r3) face (F(2.195) = 10, p = 0.0001); 4)series (F (8.189)=28, p = 0.0001); 5)\rinteraction between the identity and recognition of emotions (F (16, 181 =11, p\r= 0.0001). However, performance did not differ according to: 1) age (F\r(6.19669) = 1.35, p = 0.2) or 2) level of education (F (1, 1587) = 0.6, p = 0.4).\rConclusions: In healthy participants, the VRFEE remains stable throughout the\rlifespan when cognitive functions remain optimal. Disgust, sadness, fear, and\rjoy seem to be the four most easily recognized facial emotions, while anger and\rsurprise are not easily recognized. Visual recognition of disgust and fear is\rindependent of aging. The characteristics of a face have a significant\rinfluence on the ease with which people recognize expressed emotions\r(idiosyncrasy). Perception and recognition of emotions is categorical, even\rwhen the facial images are integrated in a spectrum of morphs reflecting two\rdifferent emotions on either side.