Subjective and neurophysiological perspectives on emotion perception from dance

Grosbras, M.-H., Reason, M., Tan, H., Kay, R. and Pollick, F. (2017) Subjective and neurophysiological perspectives on emotion perception from dance. In: Karkou, V., Oliver, S. and Lycouris, S. (eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Dance and Wellbeing. Series: Oxford handbooks. Oxford University Press, pp. 57-75. ISBN 9780199949298 (doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199949298.013.46)

Abstract

Emotional engagement and aesthetic appreciation can be prime motivations for engaging with dance. Dance can therefore offer a valuable tool for the neuroscientific study of emotion processing. This idea underpinned the project Watching Dance, which investigated the neural correlates of subjective emotional response. Participants watched a four-minute video of contemporary dance involving two dancers and three music segments. Subjective emotional response was measured by continuous rating with a slider on an analogue scale, and structured interviews prompted participants to reflect on their ratings. The neural correlates were measured using functional brain imaging complemented by a brain interference study to investigate a causal link between regional brain activity and the subjective emotional response. A pattern of emotional rating emerged that was strongly influenced by both music and movement, as confirmed by the qualitative investigation. A direct link was established between posterior parietal cortex activity and emotional reaction to dance.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Pollick, Professor Frank and Grosbras, Dr Marie-Helene
• Authors: Grosbras, M.-H., Reason, M., Tan, H., Kay, R., and Pollick, F.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Psychology
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISBN: 9780199949298
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 Oxford University Press
• First Published: First published in The Oxford Handbook of Dance and Wellbeing: 57-75
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher