Contextual cues shape facial emotion recognition: a combined behavioral and ERP study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Being able to recognize the emotions in others is fundamental to social interaction, yet the precise temporal dynamics by which the brain integrates contextual cues with facial expressions remain unclear. This study used behavioral measures and event-related potentials (ERPs) to investigate how contextual congruency and emotional valence modulate facial emotion recognition in a neurotypical population.

Methods

Participants viewed emotional faces preceded by either congruent or incongruent bimodal cues, combining vocalizations and visual images.

Results

Behaviorally, participants responded faster and made fewer errors during congruent trials than in incongruent trials, indicating that context facilitates emotional processing. At the neural level, incongrue

SUBMITTER: Toro M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12847258 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature