title: Incidental retrieval of prior emotion mimicry.
abstract: When observing emotional expressions, similar sensorimotor states are activated in the observer, often resulting in physical mimicry. For example, when observing a smile, the zygomaticus muscles associated with smiling are activated in the observer, and when observing a frown, the corrugator brow muscles. We show that the consistency of an individual's facial emotion, whether they always frown or smile, can be encoded into memory. When the individuals are viewed at a later time expressing no emotion, muscle mimicry of the prior state can be detected, even when the emotion itself is task irrelevant. The results support simulation accounts of memory, where prior embodiments of other's states during encoding are reactivated when re-encountering a person.
authors.affiliation: School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, UK. r.pawling@ljmu.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0995-4391
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pawling
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of York, York, UK.
authors.forename: Alexander J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kirkham
authors.affiliation: School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK.
authors.forename: Amy E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of York, York, UK.
authors.forename: Steven P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Tipper
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D004576:Electromyography; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D005149:Facial Expression; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D007206:Individuality; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Embodied cognition; Emotion; Memory; Psychophysiology