2010 Volume 48 Issue 2 Pages 197-206
In this study, we investigated whether psychological states in an environment with visual stimuli can be modeled by physiological indices. As visual stimuli, films to elicit various types of emotions were presented. First, psychological ratings in response to these stimuli were investigated using semantic differential scales. Principal component analysis for the psychological ratings confirmed two primary components, which could be interpreted as the valence and arousal dimensions reported in previous studies. Then, while viewing these stimuli, psychological ratings and multiple central (electroencephalogram (EEG) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) ) and peripheral (heart rate (HR), skin potential level (SPL), respiration, thermogram, plethysmogram, and eye blinks) physiological activities were measured. Stepwise regression analyses revealed that the psychological valence could be accounted for by indices of the EEG, NIRS and HR. Psychological arousal was also explained by activities of the EEG and SPL. These results suggest that the psychological states in the visual stimulus environment could be modeled by the physiological indices.
