Three-mode factor analysis of emblematic gesture and body manipulation viewed from the dorsal perspective

Abstract

This paper focuses on emblematic gesture and manipulation of body movements. Subjects viewed from the dorsal perspective the body movements displayed by two actors/actresses. These movements depicted the ten emotions of affection, joy, surprise, fear, sadness, disgust, anticipation, anger, contempt and acceptance. Three-mode factor analyses were applied to the data. Three factors were found in the emotion-mode, three in the scene-mode, and two factors in the subjects-mode. The emotion-mode and scene-mode factors were found to correspond to a high degree. Factor I was interpreted as an acceptance dimension, including affection, joy, anticipation and acceptance. The typical emblematic gestures were displayed with a standing posture and advanced movement. Factor II was interpreted as an avoidance dimension, including surprise, fear and sadness. The typical emblematic gestures were divided into two movements; regressive and “shrinking down”. In addition, self-attached manipulations were typical expressions of sadness. Factor III was interpreted as a rejection dimension, including disgust, anger and contempt. Considerable body manipulation was used to express these emotional categories. Core-matrix and subjects' factor scores were correlated with a response tendency in terms of subjects' evaluations rather than their accuracy of judgment. © 1990, The Japanese Psychological Association. All rights reserved.