FACIAL ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC RESPONSES TO VOCAL AFFECT EXPRESSIONS

In this study we investigated facial electromyographic (EMG) responses to vocal affect expressions. We also measured emotion-related action tendencies by requesting the subjects to indicate their tendency to ap proach or withdraw from the person uttering the stimulus word. In addi tion, emotional contagion (EC) was measured with a questionnaire-based scale. The results showed that hearing the expression of anger increa sed EMG activity in the subjects' brow region more than hearing conten tment. In contrast, the expression of contentment activated the perioc ular muscle region more than anger The expressions of anger elicited b ehavioral withdrawal responses, whereas the neutral expressions and co ntentment evoked approach responses. Subjects scoring low and high on EC exhibited different patterns of EMG responses. The results support the view that negative and positive affects are contagious from hearin g human vocal affect expressions.