The shape of threat: simple geometric forms evoke rapid and sustained capture of attention. Emotion 2007 Aug;7(3):526-34
Date
08/09/2007Pubmed ID
17683209DOI
10.1037/1528-3542.7.3.526Scopus ID
2-s2.0-34548843376 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 104 CitationsAbstract
Previous work has indicated that simple geometric shapes underlying facial expressions are capable of conveying emotional meaning. Specifically, a series of studies found that a simple shape, a downward-pointing "V," which is similar to the geometric configuration of the face in angry expressions, is perceived as threatening. A parallel line of research has determined that threatening stimuli more readily capture attention. In five experiments, the authors sought to determine whether this preferential processing was also present for the simple geometric form of a downward-pointing "V." Using a visual search paradigm, across these experiments the authors found that, when embedded in a field of other shapes, downward-pointing V's were detected faster and, in some cases, more accurately than identical shapes pointing upward. These findings indicate that the meaning of threat can be conveyed rapidly with minimal stimulus detail. In addition, in some cases, during trials of homogeneous fields of stimuli, fields of downward-pointing V's led to slower response times, suggesting that this shape's ability to capture attention may also extend to difficulty in disengaging attention as well.
Author List
Larson CL, Aronoff J, Stearns JJAuthor
Christine Larson PhD Associate Professor in the Psychology department at University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAffect
Attention
Expressed Emotion
Female
Form Perception
Humans
Male
Reaction Time
Signal Detection, Psychological
Visual Perception
