Equivalent perceptual asymmetries for free viewing of positive and negative emotional expressions in chimeric faces

Neuropsychologia. 1993 Jun;31(6):621-4. doi: 10.1016/0028-3932(93)90056-6.

Abstract

Research employing chimeric stimuli (in which smiling and neutral half-faces are paired) has demonstrated greater influence of the left half-face in determining perceived intensity of expression. To date, no studies have examined how emotional expressions other than happiness are perceived in this format. Right-handed subjects viewed chimeric faces depicting both positive (happiness, pleasant surprise) and negative (sadness, anger) emotions in a free vision task. Results indicated a left half-face bias for all four emotions, supporting the hypothesis of a greater right hemisphere role in emotional perception. The lack of differences in strength of left half-face bias as a function of the specific emotion depicted suggests that results obtained with typical chimeric half-face paradigms can be generalized to emotions other than happiness.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Emotions*
  • Facial Expression*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Visual Perception / physiology*