Dynamical patterns of human postural responses to emotional stimuli

Abstract

Postural displacements in response to emotional activation have recently been proposed as a direct and objective index of approach-avoidance behavior in humans. Here, we present the results of an experiment designed to assess spontaneous postural responses to discrete affective pictures, briefly presented in random order of valence. Our findings question the interpretation of phasic postural responses to emotional stimuli as approach-avoidance behavior. Further, we identify a robust dynamical pattern, characterized by specific features indicating that attentional processes may play a role in human postural responses to emotional stimuli.