Exploring Body-Specific Associations in Swipe Gestures: A Study on Hand Dominance and Emotional Valence

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Embodied Cognition

Background:

• The Body-Specificity Hypothesis posits differential emotional perception based on hand dominance.
• Interactive technologies are increasingly integrated into daily life, potentially influencing embodied cognition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate body-specific valence associations in real-world settings.
• To examine if digital gestures, such as swiping, modulate these associations.
• To test the Body-Specificity Hypothesis in the context of technology use.

Main Methods:

• Two experiments with right-handed and left-handed participants (N=30 each).
• Participants performed valence judgments on images using a tablet, employing congruent and incongruent swipe gestures.
• Response times and subjective intensity ratings were collected.

Main Results:

• Right-handers exhibited faster response times in congruent conditions and when swiping negative images with the non-dominant hand.
• Left-handers showed no response time differences but reported stronger valence judgments in congruent conditions.
• Findings support the Body-Specificity Hypothesis and its interaction with technology.

Conclusions:

• Embodied cognition is influenced by technology interaction, specifically digital gestures.
• The Body-Specificity Hypothesis is supported, with hand dominance affecting emotional perception during tech use.
• Future research should consider the impact of technology on embodied cognition frameworks.