The “Big Two” and socially induced emotions: Agency and communion jointly influence emotional contagion and emotional mimicry

Wróbel, Monika; Piorkowska, Magda; Rzeczkowska, Maja; Troszczyńska, Adrianna; Tołopiło, Aleksandra; Olszanowski, Michał

doi:10.1007/s11031-021-09897-z

Cited by 7 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 56 publications

(130 reference statements)

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“…Their research also suggested that “dispositionally empathic individuals exhibit the chameleon effect to a greater extent than do other people”. While the relation between the ability to automatically mimic others and empathise has been previously researched [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ], there are no conclusive results on how to map one to the other, and the factors impacting the relation between the two. For example, Wrobel et al [ 17 ] and Peng et al [ 18 ] suggest that the mimicry response may be mediated by perceptions of the social meaning of the expressed emotion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While the relation between the ability to automatically mimic others and empathise has been previously researched [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ], there are no conclusive results on how to map one to the other, and the factors impacting the relation between the two. For example, Wrobel et al [ 17 ] and Peng et al [ 18 ] suggest that the mimicry response may be mediated by perceptions of the social meaning of the expressed emotion. Both studies found that mimicry was present in relation to happiness, absent in perception of sadness, while Wrobel et al [ 17 ] identified a mixed pattern of response when anger was expressed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Investigating the Relationship between Facial Mimicry and Empathy

Kovalchuk

Budini

Cook

et al. 2022

Behavioral Sciences

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Facial expressions play a key role in interpersonal communication when it comes to negotiating our emotions and intentions, as well as interpreting those of others. Research has shown that we can connect to other people better when we exhibit signs of empathy and facial mimicry. However, the relationship between empathy and facial mimicry is still debated. Among the factors contributing to the difference in results across existing studies is the use of different instruments for measuring both empathy and facial mimicry, as well as often ignoring the differences across various demographic groups. This study first looks at the differences in the empathetic abilities of people across different demographic groups based on gender, ethnicity and age. The empathetic ability is measured based on the Empathy Quotient, capturing a balanced representation of both emotional and cognitive empathy. Using statistical and machine learning methods, this study then investigates the correlation between the empathetic ability and facial mimicry of subjects in response to images portraying different emotions displayed on a computer screen. Unlike the existing studies measuring facial mimicry using electromyography, this study employs a technology detecting facial expressions based on video capture and deep learning. This choice was made in the context of increased online communication during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this study confirm the previously reported difference in the empathetic ability between females and males. However, no significant difference in empathetic ability was found across different age and ethnic groups. Furthermore, no strong correlation was found between empathy and facial reactions to faces portraying different emotions shown on a computer screen. Overall, the results of this study can be used to inform the design of online communication technologies and tools for training empathy team leaders, educators, social and healthcare providers.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating the Relationship between Facial Mimicry and Empathy

Kovalchuk

Budini

Cook

et al. 2022

Behavioral Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Their research also suggested that "dispositionally empathic individuals exhibit the chameleon effect to a greater extent than do other people". While the relation between the ability to automatically mimic others and empathise has been previously researched [14][15][16][17], there are no conclusive results on how to map one to the other, and the factors impacting the relation between the two. For example, Wrobel et al [17] and Peng et al [18] suggest that the mimicry response may be mediated by perceptions of the social meaning of the expressed emotion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While the relation between the ability to automatically mimic others and empathise has been previously researched [14][15][16][17], there are no conclusive results on how to map one to the other, and the factors impacting the relation between the two. For example, Wrobel et al [17] and Peng et al [18] suggest that the mimicry response may be mediated by perceptions of the social meaning of the expressed emotion. Both studies found that mimicry was present in relation to happiness, absent in perception of sadness, and Wrobel et al [17] identified a mixed pattern of response when anger was expressed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, Wrobel et al [17] and Peng et al [18] suggest that the mimicry response may be mediated by perceptions of the social meaning of the expressed emotion. Both studies found that mimicry was present in relation to happiness, absent in perception of sadness, and Wrobel et al [17] identified a mixed pattern of response when anger was expressed. Wrobel and Imbir [19] summarise the ongoing discussion on the extent to which social appraisal of perceived facial expression may moderate the mimicry response.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Investigating the Relationship between Facial Mimicry and Empathy

Kovalchuk¹,

Budini²,

Cook³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Facial expressions play a key role in interpersonal communication when it comes to negotiating our emotions and intentions, as well as interpreting those of others. Research has shown that we can connect to other people better when we exhibit signs of empathy and facial mimicry. However, the relationship between empathy and facial mimicry is still debated. Among the factors contributing to the difference in results across existing studies is the use of different instruments for measuring both empathy and facial mimicry, as well as often ignoring the differences across various demographic groups. This study first looks at the differences in empathetic abilities of people across different demographic groups based on gender, ethnicity and age. The empathetic ability is measured based on the Empathy Quotient capturing a balanced representation of both emotional and cognitive empathy. Using statistical and machine learning methods, the study then investigates the correlation between the empathetic ability and facial mimicry of subjects in response to images portraying different emotions displayed on a computer screen. Unlike the existing studies measuring facial mimicry using electromyography, this study employs a technology detecting facial expressions based on video capture and deep learning. This choice was made in the context of increased online communication during and post the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this study confirm the previously reported difference in the empathetic ability between females and males. However, no significant difference in the empathetic ability was found across different age and ethnic groups. Furthermore, no strong correlation was found between empathy and facial reactions to faces portraying different emotions shown on a computer screen. Overall, the results of this study can be used to inform the design of online communication technologies and tools for training empathy team leaders, educators, social, and health care providers.

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The Effect of Facial Self-Resemblance on Emotional Mimicry

et al. 2022

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Social resemblance, like group membership or similar attitudes, increases the mimicry of the observed emotional facial display. In this study, we investigate whether facial self-resemblance (manipulated by computer morphing) modulates emotional mimicry in a similar manner. Participants watched dynamic expressions of faces that either did or did not resemble their own, while their facial muscle activity was measured using EMG. Additionally, after each presentation, respondents completed social evaluations of the faces they saw. The results show that self-resemblance evokes convergent facial reactions. More specifically, participants mimicked the happiness and, to a lesser extent, the anger of self-resembling faces. In turn, the happiness of non-resembling faces was less likely mimicked than in the case of self-resembling faces, while anger evoked a more divergent, smile-like response. Finally, we found that social evaluations were in general increased by happiness displays, but not influenced by resemblance. Overall, the study demonstrates an interesting and novel phenomenon, particularly that mimicry can be modified by relatively subtle cues of physical resemblance.

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The “Big Two” and socially induced emotions: Agency and communion jointly influence emotional contagion and emotional mimicry

Cited by 7 publications

References 56 publications

Investigating the Relationship between Facial Mimicry and Empathy

Investigating the Relationship between Facial Mimicry and Empathy

Investigating the Relationship between Facial Mimicry and Empathy

The Effect of Facial Self-Resemblance on Emotional Mimicry

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