Abstract
Studies indicate that explicit and implicit processing of affectively charged stimuli may be reflected in specific behavioral markers and physiological signatures. This study investigated whether the pleasantness ratings of a neutral target were affected by subliminal perception of pleasant and painful facial expressions. Participants were presented images depicting face of non-famous models being slapped (painful condition), caressed (pleasant condition) or touched (neutral condition) by the right hand of another individual. In particular, we combined the continuous flash suppression technique with the affective misattribution procedure (AMP) to explore subliminal empathic processing. Measures of pupil reactivity along with empathy traits were also collected. Results showed that participants rated the neutral target as less or more likeable congruently with the painful or pleasant facial expression presented, respectively. Pupil dilation was associated both with the implicit attitudes (AMP score) and with empathic concern. Thus, the results provide behavioral and physiological evidence that state-related empathic reactivity can occur at an entirely subliminal level and that it is linked to autonomic responses and empathic traits.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2373-2382 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Experimental Brain Research |
| Volume | 233 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - May 15 2015 |
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Keywords
- Facial expressions
- Priming
- Subliminal perception
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)
Cite this
Subliminal perception of others’ physical pain and pleasure. / Chiesa, Patrizia Andrea; Liuzza, Marco Tullio; Acciarino, Adriano; Aglioti, Salvatore Maria.
In: Experimental Brain Research, Vol. 233, No. 8, 15.05.2015, p. 2373-2382.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Subliminal perception of others’ physical pain and pleasure
AU - Chiesa, Patrizia Andrea
AU - Liuzza, Marco Tullio
AU - Acciarino, Adriano
AU - Aglioti, Salvatore Maria
PY - 2015/5/15
Y1 - 2015/5/15
N2 - Studies indicate that explicit and implicit processing of affectively charged stimuli may be reflected in specific behavioral markers and physiological signatures. This study investigated whether the pleasantness ratings of a neutral target were affected by subliminal perception of pleasant and painful facial expressions. Participants were presented images depicting face of non-famous models being slapped (painful condition), caressed (pleasant condition) or touched (neutral condition) by the right hand of another individual. In particular, we combined the continuous flash suppression technique with the affective misattribution procedure (AMP) to explore subliminal empathic processing. Measures of pupil reactivity along with empathy traits were also collected. Results showed that participants rated the neutral target as less or more likeable congruently with the painful or pleasant facial expression presented, respectively. Pupil dilation was associated both with the implicit attitudes (AMP score) and with empathic concern. Thus, the results provide behavioral and physiological evidence that state-related empathic reactivity can occur at an entirely subliminal level and that it is linked to autonomic responses and empathic traits.
AB - Studies indicate that explicit and implicit processing of affectively charged stimuli may be reflected in specific behavioral markers and physiological signatures. This study investigated whether the pleasantness ratings of a neutral target were affected by subliminal perception of pleasant and painful facial expressions. Participants were presented images depicting face of non-famous models being slapped (painful condition), caressed (pleasant condition) or touched (neutral condition) by the right hand of another individual. In particular, we combined the continuous flash suppression technique with the affective misattribution procedure (AMP) to explore subliminal empathic processing. Measures of pupil reactivity along with empathy traits were also collected. Results showed that participants rated the neutral target as less or more likeable congruently with the painful or pleasant facial expression presented, respectively. Pupil dilation was associated both with the implicit attitudes (AMP score) and with empathic concern. Thus, the results provide behavioral and physiological evidence that state-related empathic reactivity can occur at an entirely subliminal level and that it is linked to autonomic responses and empathic traits.
KW - Facial expressions
KW - Priming
KW - Subliminal perception
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84937971215&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s00221-015-4307-8
DO - 10.1007/s00221-015-4307-8
M3 - Article
C2 - 25976517
AN - SCOPUS:84937971215
VL - 233
SP - 2373
EP - 2382
JO - Experimental Brain Research
JF - Experimental Brain Research
SN - 0014-4819
IS - 8
ER -