Seeing yourself helps you see others

Emotion. 2011 Oct;11(5):1235-41. doi: 10.1037/a0023469.

Abstract

It has been proposed that self-face representations are involved in interpreting facial emotions of others. We experimentally primed participants' self-face representations. In Study 1, we assessed eye tracking patterns and performance on a facial emotion discrimination task, and in Study 2, we assessed emotion ratings between self and nonself groups. Results show that experimental priming of self-face representations increases visual exploration of faces, facilitates the speed of facial expression processing, and increases the emotional distance between expressions. These findings suggest that the ability to interpret facial expressions of others is intimately associated with the representations we have of our own faces.

MeSH terms

  • Affect
  • Discrimination, Psychological
  • Emotions*
  • Eye Movements
  • Facial Expression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Social Perception
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult