A Web-Based Auditory and Visual Emotion Perception Task Experiment With Children and a Comparison of Lab Data and Web...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic increased the need for online research in psychology.
• Online experiments with child participants remain less common than those with adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the validity of web-based experiments for child participants aged 4-12 and adults.
• To compare online experiment data with previous laboratory findings.

Main Methods:

• Participants (children and adults) completed auditory and visual emotional perception tasks online using the Gorilla Experiment Builder.
• Tasks involved judging emotion from vocal and facial expressions.
• Communication and task delivery were facilitated via Zoom videoconferencing.

Main Results:

• Data from online experiments showed similar tendencies to previous laboratory-based studies.
• Accuracy differences in perceiving vocal emotions between age groups were replicated.
• A native language advantage in auditory emotion perception was observed, consistent with prior research.

Conclusions:

• Web-based experiments are a valid method for conducting psychological research with children and adults.
• Online platforms offer a viable alternative for developmental studies, especially in light of pandemic-related restrictions.
• Future research can leverage online cognitive studies for developmental investigations.