- 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

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, 26-28 September 2011

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, 26-28 September 2011

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, 26-28 September 2011

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, 26-28 September 2011

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, 26-28 September 2011

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, 26-28 September 2011

Introduction Experiment 1 Experiment 2 Conclusion Results p<.00001 p<.000001 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, 26-28 September 2011

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, 26-28 September 2011

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, 26-28 September 2011

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, 26-28 September 2011

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, 26-28 September 2011

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, 26-28 September 2011

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, 26-28 September 2011

Thank you for your attention Contact: audrey.milhau@yahoo.fr