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Measuring Emotions

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This article is a part of the guide:

Motivation and Emotion

Discover 22 more articles on this topic

Don't miss these related articles:

1 Schachter-Singer Theory of Emotion

2 Instinct Theory Of Motivation
3 Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion
4 Incentive Theory of Motivation
5 Motivation and Emotion

Browse Full Outline

1 Motivation and Emotion

2 Biology of Emotion

2.1 Nature of Emotions

2.2 Categorization of Emotions

2.3 Measuring Emotions

2.4 The Sociology of Emotion

2.5 James-Lange Theory of Emotion

2.6 Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion

2.7 Schachter-Singer Theory of Emotion

3 Motivation

4 Motivation

4.1 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

4.2 Drive-Reduction Theory

4.3 Two-Factor Theory of Motivation

4.4 Incentive Theory of Motivation

4.5 Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation

 4.6 Instinct Theory Of Motivation

4.7 Cognitive Theories of Motivation

4.8 16 Basic Desires Theory

5 Psychotherapy

5.1 Emotion in Psychotherapy

5.2 Motivation in Psychotherapy

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Home > Academic > Psychology > Measuring Emotions

Sarah Mae Sincero 5.5K reads Comments

Whether emotions can be scientifically
measured or not is still a controversial issue today.
However, researchers have adopted the use of self-report or questionnaires as well as
physiological tests in order to measure, though not exactly, the affective phenomenon o
emotions usually through a person’s feelings, the subjective aspect of emotions.

Most researchers measure emotions of people based on their affective display, that is, their emotional expressions.
Affective display includes facial expressions, bodily postures and vocal expressions. To measure affective display,
researchers generally use observation techniques and self-report via questionnaires. At present, they also utilize
computer programs that are able to code expressive behaviour and “read” the emotion of an individual.

Commercial Systems

There are several commercial systems that are used by researchers to measure and study emotions. One of them
called “FACS”, a widely-utilized system that provides a taxonomy of human facial expressions.

Facial Action Coding System

Initially developed by psychologists Dr. Paul Ekman and Wallace Friesen, Facial Action Coding System or FACS is
model that analyzes facial expressions to measure emotions. FACS encodes the movements of the facial muscles
and changes in their patterns. As FACS encodes a facial expression that is anatomically possible, it can be used to
determine the subject’s basic emotion at the point of encoding. Thus, the contraction or relaxation of facial muscles
termed as “Action Units” or “AUs” by Ekman, is recognized by FACS and interpreted as facial expressions related t
basic human emotions.

Trained FACS experts use the system to properly interpret the facial expressions of an individual. For instance, FAC
can see through the difference between “Pan-Am smile” (an insincere and voluntary smile) and “Duchenne smile” (
sincere and voluntary smile). Pan-Am smile includes the contraction of only the facial muscle zygomatic major, whil
Duchenne smile involves the contraction of the zygomatic major plus the orbicularis oculi (inferior) muscle.

Other Commercial Systems

Aside from the widely-used FACS, other commercial systems have been developed to measure emotions with high
accuracy rates. One of these is Affectiva, which includes a wireless biosensor that should be worn to detect skin
conductance and measure emotional arousal. Another commercial system for measuring emotions is the nViso.
Described by its maker as a cost-effective technology, nViso is an emotion measurement system that uses artificial
technology and video analysis to analyze a person’s emotional state.

Self-Report Methods

Researchers also make use of emotion evaluation tools that are often self-administered. Retrospective verbal self-
report methods such as the PANAS and the Geneva Emotional Wheel are often utilized. On the other hand, non-
verbal self report tools include the Sensual Evaluation Instrument, Emotion Slider and PrEmo.

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How to cite this article:

Sarah Mae Sincero (Jul 27, 2012). Measuring Emotions. Retrieved Nov 14, 2016 from Explorable.com:
https://explorable.com/measuring-emotions

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