Olfactory stimuli as a modulating fator of emotional expression and recognition

• Grant number: 17/07050-4
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): May 01, 2017
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Experimental Psychology
• Cooperation agreement: Natura
• Principal researcher: Mirella Gualtieri
• Grantee: Matheus Henrique Ferreira
• Home Institution: Instituto de Psicologia (IP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/50282-5 - Positive psychology and neuroscience: translational research to promote well-being and emotional regulation, AP.PCPE

Abstract

The recognition of emotions based on facial expressions is a process that involves the integration of context information and can be influenced by emotional reactions. Body posture and surrounding visual scenes, for example, can generate emotions that may interfere in the identification of the emotion demonstrated in the facial expression. The olfactory system can initiate changes in the peripheral nervous system, and its neuroanatomy is intertwined with brain areas responsible for emotional processing. Research in this area demonstrated that olfactory stimulus can influence the recognition of facial expressions, especially of low-intensity expressions (subtle emotional reaction). Pleasant odors can facilitate the identification of happiness expressions and inhibit the recognition of aversive expressions, and the unpleasant ones presented the opposite reaction. One hypothesis developed by the researchers is that this influence occurs because of a facial feedback process. The reactions of the facial musculature, in response to the olfactory stimulation, interfere in the identification of the expressions. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the performance and peripheral activity (skin conductance responses, heart frequency and the activity of the muscles corrugator and zygomaticus major) of the sample in a facial expressions recognition task under olfactory stimulation. Three odor contexts and a control condition (no odor) will be presented during the experiment, to analyze the performance and peripheral nervous system activity in each context. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

FERREIRA, Matheus Henrique. Influences of olfactory stimuli in facial expressions recognition: differences between the emotions and relevance of the odors valence and arousal properties. 2019. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Psicologia (IP/SBD) São Paulo.