Assessing Emotion by Mouse-cursor Tracking: Theoretical and Empirical Rationales

Abstract

A handful of research has demonstrated the potential of mouse tracking for emotion assessment. Yet, theoretical and empirical bases for this approach remain opaque. If emotion influences motor control (e.g., controlling the movement of the computer mouse), how does that happen? What experimental situations constrain or promote the purported connection? To address these questions, we examined how prior emotional experience (viewing emotional photos) would influence participants' motor activity, as measured by the movement of the computer cursor. Results from two experiments indicate that emotional experience impacts both temporal (peak velocity) and spatial characteristics (deviation of the trajectory) of the cursor motion. But there are clear gender differences; for male participants, emotion influenced temporal features (peak velocity) but this impact was absent in female participants. It is suggested that emotion intervenes motor vigor and decision-making processes differently in male and female participants. Theoretical rationales and design factors that are essential for trajectory-based emotion assessment are also discussed.