Angry Versus Furious: A Comparison Between Valence and Arousal in Dimensional Models of Emotions

ABSTRACT

The present study compared the roles of valence and arousal, proposed by the dimensional models of emotions, in recognizing emotional expressions. It was hypothesized that the dimension of valence, due to its functional significance, would be more salient in the recognition of emotional expressions than the dimension of arousal would be. The results of the current study supported this hypothesis. The participants in all age groups were more accurate and quicker in recognizing an emotion when the expression was paired up with another emotional expression that was different in the polarity of the valence dimension than with this similar polarity difference in the arousal dimension. The insignificant difference in recognizing the positive and negative emotional expressions in the group of elders also rejected the Socio-Emotional Selectivity Theory.

KEYWORDS:

• Dimensional
• discrete emotion
• recognition

Additional information

Notes on contributors

L. Y. Lo

L. Y. Lo is an assistant professor at Hong Kong Shue Yan University. His current research interests include emotion perception, and comparative psychology.

N. L. Hung

N. L. Hung is a counselling psychologist working in Hong Kong.

M. Lin

M. Lin is a clinical psychologist and working at Hong Kong Shue Yan University as a senior lecturer. Her current research interest is the applications of cognitive behavioral therapy in different domains.