Tokyo Researchers Explore Emotions Through Skin Conductance

Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have made strides in understanding human emotions by measuring skin conductance. Led by Professor Shogo Okamoto, the team conducted experiments where volunteers watched videos depicting fear, family bonding, and humor. By analyzing skin conductance, they discovered that emotional states could be predicted based on how quickly and intensely the skin's electrical properties changed.

Understanding Emotions Beyond Facial Expressions

Traditional methods of gauging emotions often rely on facial expressions, but these are not always available or accurate. The Tokyo team is pioneering a new approach by focusing on biological signals like skin conductance, which changes due to perspiration when emotions are felt. This method could lead to emotionally sensitive technologies in consumer electronics.

Experiment and Findings

Volunteers wore skin probes while watching videos with defined emotional stimuli. The study found that fear responses lasted the longest, possibly due to evolutionary benefits. In contrast, responses to family bonding were slower, likely due to mixed emotions of sadness and happiness. The team's analysis showed that these conductance traces could statistically predict emotional states, bringing us closer to devices that understand human emotions.