Spatial Presence and Emotional Responses to Success in a Video Game: A Psychophysiological Study
Niklas Ravaja, J. Larni, Kari Kallinen, Timo Saari, Mikko Salminen, Jussi Pekka Holopainen, Aki Järvinen · 2004
We examined the relationship of self-reported Spatial Presence with emotion-related psychophysiological responses to success (reaching the goal) in a video game among 36 young adults. Event-related changes in facial electromyographic (EMG) activity (an index of emotional valence), electrodermal activity (EDA; an index of arousal), and cardiac interbeat intervals (IBIs) were recorded. The results showed that Spatial Presence was associated with an increase in zygomatic and orbicularis oculi, and a decrease in corrugator supercilii, EMG activity in response to reaching the goal. Spatial Presence was also positively related to EDA, but unrelated to IBI. High Spatial Presence may result in a greater increase in positive affect, and a greater reduction in negative affect, in response to a positive event. Spatial Presence exerts an influence on both the valence and arousal dimensions of emotions. Phasic corrugator supercilii EMG activity may be a particularly useful measure in Presence research. Keywords--- Spatial Presence, emotions, facial electromyography, electrodermal activity, interbeat interval, video games. 1.