1. - EMBODIED LANGUAGE , New College Oxford, 26-28 September 2011 -
Bidirectional influences of emotion and action in evaluation of emotionally-connoted words
A. Milhau, T. Brouillet, L. Heurley & D. Brouillet
PhD Student in Cognitive Psychology
SYNER program, EPSYLON Laboratory, Montpellier South of France

2. Introduction Bidirectional links between language and action
Experiment 1
Experiment 2
Conclusion
Bidirectional links between language and action
Language Action
Bargh & Chainken, 1996
Glenberg, Havas, Becker & Rinck, 2005
ACE, Glenberg & Kaschak, 2002;
EMBODIED LANGUAGE , New College Oxford, September 2011

3. Positive Approach Introduction
Experiment 1
Experiment 2
Conclusion
Bidirectional associations between emotion and motivational behaviors
Positive Approach
valence behavior
Negative Avoidance
Chen & Bargh, 1999; Freina, Baroni, Borghi & Nicoletti, 2009
Cacioppo, Priester & Berntson, 1993; Neumann & Strack, 2003
EMBODIED LANGUAGE , New College Oxford, September 2011

4. Introduction
Experiment 1
Experiment 2
Conclusion
But also compatibility effects between emotion and non- motivational behaviors
Facial expression: smile/pout (Strack, Martin & Stepper, 1988)
Head movements: nods (Wells & Petty, 1980)
Lateral behaviors (Casasanto, 2009)
EMBODIED LANGUAGE , New College Oxford, September 2011

5. Hypothesis Experiment 1: Experiment 2: Introduction
Conclusion
Hypothesis
If the associations between valence and laterality are as specific as the associations concerning valence and motivational behaviors, then the relations between emotional language and lateral arm movements must be bidirectional too.
Experiment 1:
Emotional words  Lateral movements
Experiment 2:
Lateral movement  evaluation of neutral words
EMBODIED LANGUAGE , New College Oxford, September 2011

6. Introduction
Experiment 1
Experiment 2
Conclusion
Experiment 1. Effect of emotional language on lateral non-motivational behaviors
Valence judgement task
HAPPINESS OR + - - + OR
EMBODIED LANGUAGE , New College Oxford, September 2011

7. Introduction
Experiment 1
Experiment 2
Conclusion
Hypothesis
Read emotionally-connoted words should facilitate action, allowing shorter RTs when executing compatible response movement.
Positive word : facilitation of the rightward movement.
Negative word : facilitation of the leftward movement.
EMBODIED LANGUAGE , New College Oxford, September 2011

8. Introduction
Experiment 1
Experiment 2
Conclusion
Results
p<.00001
p<
Facilitation only occurs for positive words, and for the movement compatible to both the valence and the hand of response:
Right hand and Response Positive to the Right
Left hand and Response Positive to the Left
EMBODIED LANGUAGE , New College Oxford, September 2011

9. Discussion Why is the effect specific to positive words?
Introduction
Experiment 1
Experiment 2
Conclusion
Discussion
Why is the effect specific to positive words?
The evaluation of emotionally-connoted language facilitated the compatible lateral movement.
Associations between valence and laterality are dependant of the behavior of the participant.
 A right-hander acting as a left-hander, even at short term, tends to (temporarily) modify those relations (see also Casasanto & Chrysikou, 2011).
EMBODIED LANGUAGE , New College Oxford, September 2011

10. Introduction
Experiment 1
Experiment 2
Conclusion
Experiment 2. Effect of lateral motor action on the evaluation of neutral words  
STEP 1
STEP 2
glasses
glasses
glasses
+ -
- +
EMBODIED LANGUAGE , New College Oxford, September 2011

11. Introduction
Experiment 1
Experiment 2
Conclusion
Hypothesis
The execution of lateral movements, linked to valence by motor fluency, should be sufficient to influence the evaluation of neutral words.
Rightward movement : positive evaluation
Leftward movement : negative evaluation
EMBODIED LANGUAGE , New College Oxford, September 2011

12. Introduction
Experiment 1
Experiment 2
Conclusion
Results
The execution of lateral movements in a valence judgment task of neutral words led to an emotional connotation of words.
p<.05
EMBODIED LANGUAGE , New College Oxford, September 2011

13. SENSORY-MOTOR COMPATIBILITY
Introduction
Experiment 1
Experiment 2
Conclusion
Conclusion
EMOTION
SENSORY-MOTOR COMPATIBILITY
Emotionally-connoted word
Enable the compatible behavior, in terms of motivation, or fluency
Compatibility and facilitation
of a motor answer
Approach/Avoidance
Left/Right
Emotionnal connotation
Compatibility
 positive emotion
Incompatibility
 neutral emotion
Breack of compatibility
 negative emotion?
Fluency of a motor behavior in a valence judgment task
EMBODIED LANGUAGE , New College Oxford, September 2011

14. In support to William James’ claim (1890):
Introduction
Experiment 1
Experiment 2
Conclusion
In support to William James’ claim (1890):
 Emotion is not a cause but rather a consequence of cognitive activity
 Emerging from the matching between motor execution and the signification assigned to it
EMBODIED LANGUAGE , New College Oxford, September 2011

15. Thank you for your attention
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