Facial expression recognition is modulated by approach-avoidance behavior

Abstract

Facial expression recognition influences approach-avoidance behaviors, but do approach-avoidance behaviors affect facial expression recognition? We conducted psychophysical experiments to this end, indicating a reverse causal relationship. In a virtual reality space, 3D face stimulus facial expressions varied on seven levels--from happy to angry in Experiments 1 and 3 and from happy to fearful in Experiment 2. Participants were asked to perform according to one of the following conditions in response to the stimulus. Participants 1) approached (one-meter forward), 2) avoided (one-meter backward), 3) were approached by, or 4) were avoided by the 3D model. Then, participants selected facial expressions. Experiment 1 revealed that participants recognized the face as angrier when they avoided it rather than when it avoided them. Experiment 2 showed that participants recognized the face as happy when approaching and fearful when avoiding, irrespective of who acted. Experiment 3 revealed that participants recognized the face as angrier when the face approached them rather than when they approached if both parties were physically close. Accordingly, approach-avoidance behavior changes facial expression recognition, indicating a reverse causal relationship. We posit that unconscious learning rooted in biological instincts creates this connection.