Automatic evaluation of visual symmetry

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Automatic evaluation of visual symmetry Alexis Makin1* and Anna Pecchinenda2 1 University of Liverpool, United Kingdom 2 University of Rome, Italy Artists have always considered symmetry and beauty to be related, while animals are known to prefer symmetrical mates. It seems that the neural mechanisms that detect symmetry are linked to those which mediate positive affect. However, the nature of this link is uncertain. It could be that symmetry automatically elicits a positive response. Alternatively, the affective response may only happen when attempting explicit aesthetic judgment. In order to explore the automatic evaluation hypothesis, we conducted two behavioral studies. First, we found that English words with positive valence (based on ANEW data set) are pronounced more quickly when presented on top of a symmetrical dot pattern than a random dot pattern. Second, we used the Implicit Association Test (IAT) and found that symmetrical patterns were associated with positive words, and random patterns were associated with negative words. These results imply that symmetry is indeed evaluated automatically, even in the absence of explicit instruction. We have also recorded electroencephalographic (EEG) data from 64 scalp electrodes and electromyographic (EMG) data from the Zygomaticus Major (ZM, smiling muscle) while our participant’s viewed symmetrical or random visual dot-patterns. We hypothesize that symmetrical patterns will produce a known pattern of Event Related Potential (ERP) activity at posterior electrodes, and that this will be followed by activation of the ZM. In summary, this program of behavioral and electrophysiological research suggests that visual symmetry automatically elicits positive affect, and promises to uncover the time-course and neural basis of this connection. Funding: This project was sponsored by the Leverhulme Trust. Keywords: decision-making, EEG Conference: XI International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON XI), Palma, Mallorca, Spain, 25 Sep - 29 Sep, 2011. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Poster Sessions: Decision Making, Reward Processing & Response Selection Citation: Makin A and Pecchinenda A (2011). Automatic evaluation of visual symmetry. Conference Abstract: XI International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON XI). doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2011.207.00398 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 24 Nov 2011; Published Online: 28 Nov 2011. * Correspondence: Dr. Alexis Makin, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom, alexis.makin@liverpool.ac.uk Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Alexis Makin Anna Pecchinenda Google Alexis Makin Anna Pecchinenda Google Scholar Alexis Makin Anna Pecchinenda PubMed Alexis Makin Anna Pecchinenda Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.