Facial Affect Reciprocity in Dyadic Interactions
Abstract
The purpose of this effort was to examine a new theoretical framework called Facial Affect Reciprocity, which refers to the exchange of facial expressions among interactants across time, and the linkage between specific types of emotion. We examined whether different combinations of facial expressions of emotion of pairs of individuals engaged in an interactive game requiring cooperation and adaptation would be reliably related to objective performance data. Same-sex stranger dyads participated in three conditions of game play in three studies. The game used was a modified version of Prisoner's Dilemma, which was played in real time, in person, and with real money to maximize the interaction's effects on emotions and expressions. Facial affect reciprocity variables predicted the behavioral outcomes of the dyads above and beyond what could be predicted by the individual facial expression variables, as predicted. Surprisingly, however, it was not the exchange of emotional expressions per se that was the best predictor of the various outcomes; instead, it was the exchange of no emotions or neutrality that was the best predictor. These findings suggest a strong potential role for expression regulation in dyadic interchange, and they have important ramifications to theoretical and conceptual knowledge concerning the interpersonal functions of facial expressions of emotion. They also have important practical implications for emotion and expression regulation in team processes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA565310
Entities
People
- David Matsumoto
Organizations
- San Francisco State University