Virtual partner dance as a paradigm for empirical study of cognitive models of emotional intelligence

Abstract

This work presents a new paradigm for empirical study of cognitive models of emotional intelligence and preliminary results obtained within it. Among computational approaches to modeling human emotions, the eBICA cognitive architecture takes a special place, because it provides a framework for unification of cognitive and physiological models of emotional intelligence, dimensional and componential representations of emotions, and more. Selected paradigm involves spontaneous interactions among three dancing avatars, one or two of which can be controlled by human participants. Available behaviors include selection of a partner, changing facial expressions and dance patterns. Several types of virtual dance partners are implemented based on the eBICA model: “timid”, “ringleader”, “dancer”, “naïve”, and intermediate cases. Simulations and empirical data show that the selected approach is useful and can potentially lead to a socially attractive, emotionally intelligent behavior.