Perceptual categorization of emotional expression cued by ones back posture

Abstract

Subjects looked at 3mm motion pictures of the bodily movement from rear view perspective of male and female communicators, who faced to emotionally-toned scenes.If the subjects detected some sign of emotional expression, they rated the relevance of expression on five point scale.Varimax rotated factor analysis yielded three factors: F 1 rejection-acceptance, F 2 avoidance approach, and F 3 sadness. Rejection was categorized as expressions of anger, disgust, and contempt, while anger was categorized when a clenched fist with forward and extended arm were observed. Disgust and contempt were categorized when stationary posture was observed. Acceptance was categoriedwhen the signs of affection, anticipation, and acceptance were observed. Avoidance was categorized when signs of fear and surprize were observed. A typical fear was categorized when signs of freezing was observed, surprize was categorized by stepping back, and sadness was categorized by crouching and self attachment. © 1986, The Japanese Psychological Association. All rights reserved.