Emotional arousal and temporal resolution of the visual system

Emotions influence perceptual processing. An exposure to an emotional stimulus may increase visibility of a neutral target (e. g., Ciesielski et al 2010). We tested whether emotional arousal affects temporal resolution in visual domain. Specifically, we expected an increase in temporal resolution since emotional information is transmitted by the magnocellular system, tuned to high temporal frequency. To this aim, critical flicker fusion threshold (CFF) as the measure of capability for temporal resolution was assessed after presentation of short videos with negative (threat, fear inducing) and neutral affective charge, in healthy human subjects. Change in emotional state was verified by measuring skin conductance level. To the contrary to our expectation, critical flicker fusion threshold was not affected positively by induced state of emotional arousal and even seems to be decreased in subjects who manifested high variability in reaction times task performance at basal testing, associated with neuroticism.