How False Heart Rate Feedback Affects Emotional Appraisal
Author Information
Author(s): Gray Marcus A., Harrison Neil A., Wiens Stefan, Critchley Hugo D.
Primary Institution: University of Sussex
Hypothesis
False physiological feedback will alter emotional ratings of facial expressions.
Conclusion
False feedback of increased heart rate enhances the perceived intensity of neutral facial expressions.
Supporting Evidence
- False feedback of increased heart rate led to higher intensity ratings of neutral faces.
- Right anterior insula activity predicted changes in perceived intensity ratings.
- Participants rated neutral expressions as more intense during false feedback compared to true feedback.
Takeaway
When people think their heart is racing, they might feel more emotional about neutral faces, even if they aren't actually feeling that way.
Methodology
Functional MRI was used to scan participants while they rated emotional intensity of facial expressions under different heart rate feedback conditions.
Potential Biases
Participants were unaware of the feedback manipulations, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and did not explore the effects of first-level physiological arousal on emotional ratings.
Participant Demographics
12 healthy right-handed individuals (7 male, 5 female, mean age 26.1 years).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.012
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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