Emotional Reactions to Point-Light Display Animations

Emotional reactions to basic, artificial, yet carefully controllable point-light displays (PLDs) were investigated with ratings of valence, arousal, approachability and dominance. PLDs were varied by movement location (upper and lower) and intensity (10 degrees, 20 degrees and 30 degrees angular change) for angular upward and downward movements. Half of participants (N = 28) were told that PLDs were related to face while to other half nothing was hinted. Results showed that 20 degrees and 30 degrees angle lower location upward movements were rated as significantly more pleasant, relaxing and approachable than corresponding upper location downward movements. Informed participants rated 20 degrees and 30 degrees angle lower movements as significantly more controllable than corresponding upper movements. Results are important from many perspectives, like for understanding human perceptual mechanisms. When using PLDs only a small amount of information needs to be transmitted. This enables low bandwidth requirements. As PLD visualizations are simple, there is no need for high-definition displays.