Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 6, 2026

Eye Tracking During Visually Situated Language Comprehension: Flexibility and Limitations in Uncovering Visual Context Effects
Published on: November 30, 2018
Viewing distance matter to perceived intensity of facial expressions
Andreas Gerhardsson1, Lennart Högman2, Håkan Fischer2
1Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm Sweden ; Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm Sweden.
Abstract:
In our daily perception of facial expressions, we depend on an ability to generalize across the varied distances at which they may appear. This is important to how we interpret the quality and the intensity of the expression. Previous research has not investigated whether this so called perceptual constancy also applies to the experienced intensity of facial expressions. Using a psychophysical measure (Borg CR100 scale) the present study aimed to further investigate perceptual constancy of happy and angry facial expressions at varied sizes, which is a proxy for varying viewing distances. Seventy-one (42 females) participants rated the intensity and valence of facial expressions varying in distance and intensity. The results demonstrated that the perceived intensity (PI) of the emotional facial expression was dependent on the distance of the face and the person perceiving it. An interaction effect was noted, indicating that close-up faces are perceived as more intense than faces at a distance and that this effect is stronger the more intense the facial expression truly is. The present study raises considerations regarding constancy of the PI of happy and angry facial expressions at varied distances.
More Related Videos
06:53Creating Virtual-hand and Virtual-face Illusions to Investigate Self-representation
Published on: March 1, 2017
07:14Investigating the 'Uncatchable Smile' in Leonardo da Vinci's La Bella Principessa: A Comparison with the Mona Lisa and Pollaiuolo's Portrait of a Girl
Published on: October 4, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Facial Feedback Hypothesis
Depth Perception and Spatial Vision
Factors Affecting Perception
An illustrative example of a perceptual set is the scenario where an airline pilot told...
Factors Influencing Attraction I: Proximity
Non-Verbal Cues
Association Areas of the Cortex
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...