The priming effect of point-light display (PLD) animations on the ratings of valence in neutral faces
Bellés Fabregat, Marc (2017)
2017
Tietojenkäsittelytieteiden tutkinto-ohjelma - Degree Programme in Computer Sciences
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2017-12-29
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:uta-201801161058
http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:uta-201801161058
Tiivistelmä
The study of human emotions is a wide topic involving different fields of study and from which countless disciplines might benefit, among them human computer interaction (HCI) and affective computing. Understanding the processes behind production, mediation and consumption of emotions via technology might increase the affective bandwidth of HCI and, as a result, improve various products and services in information and communication technologies (ICT) and in computer-mediated communication (CMC).
This thesis investigates face perception and mediation of emotional information to the users via abstract and compact graphical visualizations designed in a form of point-light display (PLD) animations. Two PLD animations consisting of a number of moving dots with different location and direction of movement were utilized in the study. One of the animations represented a face smiling while the other represented a face frowning. Earlier studies have demonstrated a potential of such PLD design in affecting emotional ratings of the users. Further investigation is needed to examine whether PLD animations have an effect and can influence the response to another stimulus.
Therefore, in this work priming paradigm is used as a research method to study the implicit memory effect that PLD animations might have on the valence ratings of neutral faces (photographs). 29 participants were asked to rate the valence of neutral faces shortly presented (100 ms) after PLD aminations using a 0-6 rating scale. Moreover, participants were asked whether they perceived faces and facial expressions from the PLD animations.
Results showed that participants perceived faces and facial expressions (smile and frown) from the PLD animations. On the other hand, paired sample t-test found no significant effect from the PLD animations on the valence ratings of neutral faces. The results obtained might be explained by the limitations of the experimental tasks, the rating scale implemented and the length of the PLD animations. The thesis discusses the results and suggests possible improvements to the weaknesses observed in the current design.
This thesis investigates face perception and mediation of emotional information to the users via abstract and compact graphical visualizations designed in a form of point-light display (PLD) animations. Two PLD animations consisting of a number of moving dots with different location and direction of movement were utilized in the study. One of the animations represented a face smiling while the other represented a face frowning. Earlier studies have demonstrated a potential of such PLD design in affecting emotional ratings of the users. Further investigation is needed to examine whether PLD animations have an effect and can influence the response to another stimulus.
Therefore, in this work priming paradigm is used as a research method to study the implicit memory effect that PLD animations might have on the valence ratings of neutral faces (photographs). 29 participants were asked to rate the valence of neutral faces shortly presented (100 ms) after PLD aminations using a 0-6 rating scale. Moreover, participants were asked whether they perceived faces and facial expressions from the PLD animations.
Results showed that participants perceived faces and facial expressions (smile and frown) from the PLD animations. On the other hand, paired sample t-test found no significant effect from the PLD animations on the valence ratings of neutral faces. The results obtained might be explained by the limitations of the experimental tasks, the rating scale implemented and the length of the PLD animations. The thesis discusses the results and suggests possible improvements to the weaknesses observed in the current design.