Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have made significant progress in using skin conductance measurements to identify emotions. In a recent study, volunteers watched videos that depicted scenes of fear, family bonding, and humor, while their skin conductance was monitored. The team's analysis revealed that skin conductance data could be used to make accurate predictions about the emotional states of the individuals. This research marks an important step in reducing the reliance on facial expression data, bringing us closer to emotionally aware technology.

Figure 1. Using skin conductance to tell apart emotions.

A new frontier is emerging in consumer electronics, where digital devices could one day respond to our emotional states. However, this hinges on the ability of devices to accurately detect emotions [1]. While facial expressions have been the most common method for identifying emotions, they are not always available. As a result, researchers are exploring other biological signals, such as brain wave activity and heart rate, to interpret emotional states. Figure 1 shows Using skin conductance to tell apart emotions.

Led by Professor Shogo Okamoto, a team of scientists at Tokyo Metropolitan University has been investigating the use of skin conductance as a means to understand human emotions. When people experience different emotions, the electrical properties of their skin change due to perspiration, with noticeable signals appearing within one to three seconds of emotional stimuli. Previous studies have shown that peak skin conductance can be linked to specific emotions [2]. In this new research, the team focused on the dynamics of these responses, such as the speed at which conductance reaches its peak and how it decays back to normal.

In the experiment, volunteers wore skin probes while watching videos that featured either frightening scenes from horror films, heartwarming family moments, or comedic acts. Each video was designed to elicit a specific emotional response. By analyzing the resulting skin conductance traces, the researchers identified significant trends. For instance, they found that fear responses lasted the longest, which may be a biologically adaptive trait, as prolonged awareness of danger could be advantageous. In contrast, emotional family scenes, which likely evoked mixed feelings of sadness and happiness, produced a slower response, possibly due to the conflicting nature of these emotions [3].

The team’s statistical analysis revealed that the patterns of skin conductance dynamics could distinguish between different emotional states. While the accuracy of emotion detection is not yet perfect, the data provides a reliable foundation for predicting whether a person is feeling fear or the warmth of family bonds. When combined with other physiological signals, the team believes this research brings us closer to developing devices that can sense and respond to our emotions, leading to a deeper understanding of human feelings [4].

This study was supported in part by an Institutional Research Grant from Tokyo Metropolitan University.

Reference:

1. https://theprint.in/science/when-devices-can-read-human-emotions-without-a-camera-study/2381565/
2. https://www.miragenews.com/devices-read-emotions-sans-camera-1368347/
3. https://www.lokmattimes.com/technology/when-devices-can-read-human-emotions-without-a-camera-study/
4. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2017/03/computers-can-now-read-your-emotions-here-s-why-that-s-not-as-scary-as-it-sounds/

Cite this article:

Priyadharshini S (2024),“unlocking emotional awareness in technology: tokyo researchers use skin conductance to identify emotions,AnaTechmaz, pp.1051