Brain synchronization during perception of facial emotional expressions with natural and unnatural dynamics

PLoS One. 2017 Jul 19;12(7):e0181225. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181225. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Research on the perception of facial emotional expressions (FEEs) often uses static images that do not capture the dynamic character of social coordination in natural settings. Recent behavioral and neuroimaging studies suggest that dynamic FEEs (videos or morphs) enhance emotion perception. To identify mechanisms associated with the perception of FEEs with natural dynamics, the present EEG (Electroencephalography)study compared (i) ecologically valid stimuli of angry and happy FEEs with natural dynamics to (ii) FEEs with unnatural dynamics, and to (iii) static FEEs. FEEs with unnatural dynamics showed faces moving in a biologically possible but unpredictable and atypical manner, generally resulting in ambivalent emotional content. Participants were asked to explicitly recognize FEEs. Using whole power (WP) and phase synchrony (Phase Locking Index, PLI), we found that brain responses discriminated between natural and unnatural FEEs (both static and dynamic). Differences were primarily observed in the timing and brain topographies of delta and theta PLI and WP, and in alpha and beta WP. Our results support the view that biologically plausible, albeit atypical, FEEs are processed by the brain by different mechanisms than natural FEEs. We conclude that natural movement dynamics are essential for the perception of FEEs and the associated brain processes.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Brain Mapping
  • Electroencephalography
  • Emotions / physiology*
  • Facial Expression*
  • Facial Recognition / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Visual Perception / physiology*
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Max Planck Society and the Max-Planck Network (Maxnet) for Cognition. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.