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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
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Central and Divided Visual Field Presentation of Emotional Images to Measure Hemispheric Differences in Motivated Attention
Published on: November 16, 2017
Opposing influences of affective state valence on visual cortical encoding
Taylor W Schmitz1, Eve De Rosa, Adam K Anderson
1Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G3, Canada. taylor@aclab.ca
Summary
Positive and negative emotions influence visual perception by altering the visual field of view (FOV). Positive states broaden FOV, while negative states narrow it, impacting early visual processing.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Affective Science
Background:
- Emotional states are linked to approach-avoidance behaviors.
- Affective valence may bias cognitive control processes.
- Previous research suggests emotional states influence visual field of view (FOV).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if positive and negative emotional states bias perceptual encoding in visual cortices.
- To examine the effect of affective valence on visual field of view (FOV) using fMRI.
- To determine if emotional states modulate visual input gating.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to measure brain activity.
- Positive, neutral, and negative emotional states were induced.
- Observers viewed face/place stimuli to index FOV via parahippocampal place area (PPA) response.
Main Results:
- Positive affective states broadened FOV, increasing PPA response to peripheral places.
- Negative affective states narrowed FOV, decreasing PPA response to peripheral places.
- Individual differences in affect correlated with PPA, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala activation.
Conclusions:
- Affective valence differentially biases the gating of early visual inputs.
- Emotional states fundamentally alter the scope of perceptual encoding.
- Opposing influences of positive and negative states extend to visual processing.
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