Watson, Derrick G. , Blagrove, Elisabeth, Evans, Chesney and Moore, Lucy. (2012) Negative triangles : simple geometric shapes convey emotional valence. Emotion, Vol.12 (No.1). pp. 18-22. ISSN 1528-3542

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Abstract

It has been suggested that downward pointing triangles convey negative valence, perhaps because they mimic an underlying primitive feature present in negative facial expressions (Larson, Aronoff, and Stearns, 2007). Here, we test this proposition using a flanker interference paradigm in which participants indicated the valence of a central face target, presented between two adjacent distracters. Experiment 1 showed that, compared with face flankers, downward pointing triangles had little influence on responses to face targets. However, in Experiment 2, when attentional competition was increased between target and flankers, downward pointing triangles slowed responses to positively valenced face targets, and speeded them to negatively valenced targets, consistent with valence-based flanker compatibility effects. These findings provide converging evidence that simple geometric shapes may convey emotional valence.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology Q Science > QA Mathematics
Divisions:	Faculty of Science > Psychology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Emotions, Affect (Psychology), Shapes, Triangles
Journal or Publication Title:	Emotion
Publisher:	American Psychological Association
ISSN:	1528-3542
Date:	February 2012
Volume:	Vol.12
Number:	No.1
Page Range:	pp. 18-22
Identification Number:	10.1037/a0024495
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/36108

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