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Abstract:
Representational momentum (RM), the unidirectional distortion
in recognition memory, forward, in the direction of implied motion,
is considered to be an example of the cognitive representation of
motion. In two experiments, RM was investigated in facial
expressions from a standard series. The first experiment involved
presentation of expressions of disgust and happiness in an ABX
paradigm. Here subjects were presented with pairs of the same
expression that either depicted an increase or diminution of the
intensity of the expression. They were asked to decide if the two
pictures of facial expressions were the same as each other or
different. Reaction times to correctly distinguish the pairs of
happy expressions that depicted an intensification of the
expression were significantly longer than the rest. No significant
momentum effects were observed with the disgust expressions. These
data suggest the presence of RM for the happy expression only. The
second experiment involved presentation of six expressions, happy,
sad, disgust, fear and surprise, prior to making a response,
subjects were presented with a series of pictures of the same
expression increasing in intensity. The RM effect was revealed for
expressions of happiness (replicating the first experiment) and
surprise only. These findings are discussed in terms of the large
'motion signatures' (i.e. the inherent planes of motion) of these
two expressions resulting in a greater amount of motion being
encoded alongside the mental representation of that particular
expression.
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