Authentic and posed emotional vocalizations trigger distinct facial responses

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Physiology

Background:

• Emotion recognition is vital for social interaction.
• Sensorimotor mechanisms, involving facial muscles, are key for visual emotion recognition.
• The role of these mechanisms in auditory emotion processing remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if sensorimotor mechanisms are involved in auditory emotion recognition.
• To examine physiological responses to vocalizations varying in emotional authenticity.
• To explore the link between peripheral nervous system activity and authenticity judgments.

Main Methods:

• Facial electromyography (EMG) and electrodermal activity (EDA) were measured in 100 participants.
• Participants passively listened to authentic and posed vocalizations (laughter and crying).
• Bayesian mixed models analyzed physiological responses and their relation to authenticity perception.

Main Results:

• Laughter evoked stronger facial responses than crying, sensitive to authenticity.
• Authentic laughter increased zygomaticus and orbicularis muscle activity, linked to positive affect.
• Orbicularis and corrugator activity predicted perceived authenticity; authentic laughs increased skin conductance.

Conclusions:

• Emotional authenticity influences peripheral nervous system responses to vocalizations.
• Sensorimotor mechanisms play a role in evaluating authenticity in auditory stimuli.
• Physiological responses to crying were not associated with authenticity judgments.