TitleChanges in posed facial expression of emotion across the adult life span.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2004
AuthorsBorod, JC, Yecker, SA, Brickman, AM, Moreno, CR, Sliwinski, M, Foldi, NS, Alpert, M, Welkowitz, J
JournalExp Aging Res
Volume30
Issue4
Pagination305-31
Date Published2004 Oct-Dec
ISSN0361-073X
KeywordsAdult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Analysis of Variance, Emotions, Facial Expression, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Observer Variation, Photic Stimulation, Reproducibility of Results
Abstract

<p>The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the facial expression of emotion across the adult life span. Two positive and two negative emotional expressions were posed by 30 young (21 to 39 years), 30 middle-aged (40 to 59 years), and 30 older (60 to 81 years) healthy, right-handed women. Photographs of the four emotional expressions were rated by independent judges for intensity, accuracy, and confidence. Special features of this study were the use of a neutral face as a nonemotional control, as well as careful cognitive and affective screening procedures for posers and judges. Overall, the expressions of older posers were rated as significantly less accurate and with significantly less confidence than those of younger posers. Although the neutral faces of older posers were rated as significantly more intense than those of younger posers, there were no significant age-related intensity differences for positive and negative emotions. The results are discussed in terms of theoretical models of aging.</p>

DOI10.1080/03610730490484399
Alternate JournalExp Aging Res
PubMed ID15371098
Grant ListMH37952 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
MH42172 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
RR07064 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States