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Autobiographical memory recall in healthy older adults : an approach to code mixed emotions in terms of positive and negative emotion intensity by interpreting facial expressions

Helmus, Alina (2021) Autobiographical memory recall in healthy older adults : an approach to code mixed emotions in terms of positive and negative emotion intensity by interpreting facial expressions.

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Abstract:Previous research suggested that emotional experience and expression in older adults differs compared to younger age groups. The current study aimed to build upon previous findings by exploring the occurrence of mixed emotions and facial emotion expression intensity in older adults. Data was collected by emotion elicitation with Life Story Books. Transcripts of interviews have been segmented (N = 625) and coded manually for emotional valence. Facial expression analysis has been conducted automatically in terms of action unit detection by facial expression recognition software. The valence codes have been analyzed in relation to the coded action units to investigate the emotion expression intensity in the different valence codes. Findings indicated that next to the expected expression of mixed emotions, there were also cases of mixed expression modalities, meaning that participants expressed emotions positively in word usage, negatively in their facial expressions and vice versa. The pulling of the lip corners (AU12) was found to be expressed with significant lower intensity in emotional memories of older adults associated with negative emotions compared to positive emotions and mixed emotions. The findings are consistent with the Differential Emotion Theory, which refers to the increasing complexity of emotional experience across the lifespan.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/85560
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