Cultural comparison between Chinese and Japanese people’s perception of emotions

Abstract

In this research, we investigated cultural differences between Chinese and Japanese participants concerning perceptions of emotions by facial expressions (about specific feelings and to what extent those feelings can be experienced). We used gradual morphing images that express countenances from neutral facial expressions to anger or joy as stimuli. By doing this, participants identified emotion types and evaluated emotional strength. As a result, Japanese participants evaluated the emotional strength for moderate to distinct expressions of anger to a greater extent than Chinese participants. From this, we suggest that compared with the Chinese, the Japanese have a tendency to infer stronger internal anger (i.e, “augment”) than what is actually expressed.