Positive social feedback alters emotional ratings and reward valuation of neutral faces.

ABSTRACT: Evaluation of facial and vocal emotional cues is vital in social interactions but can be highly influenced by characteristics of the observer, such as sex, age, and symptoms of affective disorders. Our evaluations of others' emotional expressions are likely to change as we get to know them and anticipate how they are likely to behave. However, the role of associative learning in the evaluation of social cues remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated whether emotional ratings (valence and arousal) and reward valuation ("liking" and "wanting" measures) of neutral facial expressions can be altered through associative learning. We also examined whether emotional ratings and reward valuation varied with symptoms of anxiety and depression, disorders known to impair socio-affectiv

SUBMITTER: Young KS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8320679 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature