Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that the underlying geometry of a visual image is an effective mechanism for conveying the affective
meaning of a scene or object. Indeed, even very simple context-free geometric shapes have been shown to signal emotion. Specifically,
downward-pointing V’s are perceived as threatening and curvilinear forms are perceived as pleasant. As these shapes are thought
to be primitive cues for decoding emotion, we sought to assess whether they are evaluated as affective even without extended
cognitive processing. Using an Implicit Association Test to examine associations between three shapes (downward- and upward-pointing
triangles, circles) and pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral scenes, in two studies we found that participants were faster to
categorize downward-pointing triangles as unpleasant compared to neutral or pleasant. These findings were specific to downward-pointing
shapes containing an acute angle. The present findings support the hypothesis that simple geometric forms convey emotion and
that this perception does not require explicit judgment.
meaning of a scene or object. Indeed, even very simple context-free geometric shapes have been shown to signal emotion. Specifically,
downward-pointing V’s are perceived as threatening and curvilinear forms are perceived as pleasant. As these shapes are thought
to be primitive cues for decoding emotion, we sought to assess whether they are evaluated as affective even without extended
cognitive processing. Using an Implicit Association Test to examine associations between three shapes (downward- and upward-pointing
triangles, circles) and pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral scenes, in two studies we found that participants were faster to
categorize downward-pointing triangles as unpleasant compared to neutral or pleasant. These findings were specific to downward-pointing
shapes containing an acute angle. The present findings support the hypothesis that simple geometric forms convey emotion and
that this perception does not require explicit judgment.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s11031-011-9249-2
- Authors
- Christine L. Larson, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, PO Box 413, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA
- Joel Aronoff, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Elizabeth L. Steuer, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, PO Box 413, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA
- Journal Motivation and Emotion
- Online ISSN 1573-6644
- Print ISSN 0146-7239