Science of Emotion and Sensibility

An understanding of the influence of emotional context on memory retrieval is crucial to our comprehensive understanding of human cognition. While previous research focused primarily on visual stimuli to address this relationship, this study ventures into the realm of speech-based emotional contexts. Building on previous findings, we examine the effects of arousal and the valence of verbal contexts on memory, with particular focus on mitigating the serial position effect. In Study 1, we investigated how the arousal level of verbal context in the middle of a word list affects memory retention. Our results demonstrated detriment to the memory of later parts of the word list when exposed to low-arousal contexts. In Study 2, we controlled for arousal levels and examined the impact of valence on memory. We found that negative verbal contexts impair the memory of the word when presented together. Our findings suggest that speech-based emotional contexts do not facilitate verbal memory processing. In particular, negative emotional contexts were found to reinforce the serial position effect. Negative emotional contexts tend to disrupt task performance and fail to elicit memory-enhancing effects, especially when both the context and memory stimulus are verbal. These insights offer a valuable contribution to our understanding of the nuances of auditorily delivered emotional context in verbal memory processes.

keyword : Emotional Context, Memory, Serial Position Effect, Affective Speech, Acoustic Memory, 감정 맥락, 기억, 서열 위치 효과, 감성 음성, 청각적 기억

Previous studies on texture and emotion have focused on identifying precisely which tactile stimuli trigger specific emotions. Despite the significant role of vision in tactile perception, research has so far only focused on the singular aspect of texture. In this study, we used tactile stimuli to investigate the effects of three variables― roughness, hardness, and visual blocking―on the affective responses to tactile perception. The experimental stimuli that can be encountered in daily life were selected based on the four conditions of “rough/hard,” “rough/soft,” “smooth/hard” and “smooth/soft” by crossing two roughness conditions (rough, smooth) and two hardness conditions (hard, soft). The experiment was divided into two sessions depending on whether or not visual blocking existed. Participants completed a session in which they evaluated a tactile stimulus after touching it without seeing it and then proceeded with a session in which they evaluated a stimulus after touching it with sight of it. The results of the repeated-measures ANOVA showed that individuals reported a more positive perception when touching stimuli with visual cues and more negative when touching stimuli without visual cues. Furthermore, the inclination to perceive smooth and soft stimuli more positively and rough stimuli more negatively was stronger when touching without visual cues. The results of this study suggest implications for enhancing the understanding of the interaction between emotion and visual information processing by elucidating how emotions are experienced differently in situations where visual information is provided and where it is not.

keyword : 촉각, 거칠기, 경도, 시각 차단, 핵심 정서, Tactile, Roughness, Hardness, Visual Blocking, Core Affect

Past research reported mixed results on the effects of social exclusion on prosocial behavior. Whereas some studies reported an increase in prosocial motivation and behavior, others proposed that social exclusion causes a decrease in prosocial behavior along with negative reactions such as anger and aggression. These conflicting results may have arisen because prosocial behavior does not in itself always produce social reconnection. That is, although prosocial behavior is a major means of promoting social relationships, the excluded person does not need to act prosocially to benefit others unless the behavior leads to the restoration of the relationship. Unlike past research that assumed dichotomous situations of exclusion or belonging, the present research tested prosocial behavior in a social exclusion risk situation where the possibility of reconnection exists. In addition, we used the ability to potentially contribute to the group as another independent variable. We used a simulation game titled “Becoming a Union Member” to manipulate each participant’s social exclusion risk and ability. Participants responded to a simple survey named member personality test and gave preliminary votes to one another, and exclusion risk was manipulated by the number of votes received. Later, ability was manipulated by disclosing perception test scores in the named member ability test. In both Experiments 1 and 2, participants who scored high in terms of social exclusion risk and low in the ability to potentially contribute showed prosocial behavior in stipulating larger donations. These results demonstrate that probable social reconnection defined by exclusion risk and ability is the key to explaining prosocial behavior following social exclusion.

keyword : 사회적 배제, 소속감, 친사회적 행동, 능력, 기부금, Social Exclusion, Sense of Belonging, Prosocial Behavior, Ability, Affiliation Fee

The purpose of this study was to investigate how companion people who raise companion animals experience companion culture from this adoption throughout their lives. So far, studies have focused on viewing pets as pets or for their utility or looking at the positive emotions that companion animals provide to humans. Accordingly, this study attempted to investigate the overall culture that companion animals and their family consistently experience together throughout the animal’s life. Using Giorgi’s phenomenological research method, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 people with experience of raising companion animals. Six categories and 23 subcategories were found. The results are as follows. First, companion people who adopted pets for various reasons tried to improve their pets’ social skills, took an interest in their nutrition, and experienced visits to pet culture spaces. Second, at the same time, they had a communal experience of raising a pet by using the SNS function, and they were able to study in depth by sharing the pet’s diet. Third, with attention to social phenomena, they carried out large-scale protest activities aimed at relevant organizations when animals were placed in poor environments, and when the animals were transferred to shelters, etc., they did not give up their attention and continued to provide help such as follow-up donations and showed a sense of responsibility. Through this study, we were able to understand structurally the experiences of companion people who experience companion culture throughout their pet’s life. It was concluded that it is necessary to improve related systems and laws, cultivate personal order and consciousness, and increase elements of companion culture in life overall.

keyword : 교감, 반려동물, 반려문화, 반려인, 펫문화, Communion, Companion Animal, Companion Cultulture, Companion People, Pet Culture

This study aimed to propose implications for mental health and cultural arts education, in which certain factors can contribute to acquiring and improving creativity in adolescents to cultivate the creative human resources required in future society. The study used panel data from the Korean Education Longitudinal Study provided by the Korea Educational Development Institute. First, we analyzed the correlation between mental health and creativity and then examined mediation and serial mediation effects of the frequency of participation in cultural activities and the experience of them between two factors. The results showed that mental health was significantly positively correlated with creativity. Additionally, the frequency of participation in cultural activities and their experience were confirmed to have partial mediating effects. In other words, sound mental health factors such as comfort, enjoyment and happiness, cultural education, and cultural activities were found to have positive effects on creativity in adolescents. To develop creativity in adolescents, this study suggests the following challenges: (1) enhancing positive mental health, (2) increasing participation in cultural and artistic activities, (3) actively developing education programs for the cultural arts on community and educational sites, and (4) using and promoting local cultural and artistic education programs. These are expected to make an important contribution to fostering talented adolescents with creativity and convergence.

keyword : Mental Health, Cultural Activities, Cultural Experiences, Culture Arts Education, Creativity, 정신건강, 문화예술활동, 문화활동경험, 문화예술교육, 창의성

Researchers have examined how individuals' preferred ways of comparing achievements differ according to their mindset. However, studies investigating the concomitant impact of such differences on individuals' happiness are relatively scant. Using a variety of scenarios, the present study examined how fixed-mindset and growth-mindset individuals' different achievement-comparison styles (more than others, less than others, better than before, and worse than before) affected their subjective happiness. A total of 880 participants were recruited. Fixed-mindset individuals felt happy when they felt they achieved more than others and unhappy when they felt the opposite, but were not influenced significantly when their achievement was better or worse than before. Conversely, growth-mindset individuals felt happy when their achievement was better than before but unhappy when it was the opposite, without being influenced significantly by achieving more or less than others. This study examined mindset, achievement comparison, and subjective happiness comprehensively, which, to date, have only been examined independently.

keyword : Growth Mindset, Fixed Mindset, Achievement Comparison Type, Subjective Happiness, Attitude

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of remote education, yet the adoption rate of AI in the educational sector remains relatively low, and studies into learners’ familiarity with using AI learning robots are scarce. In response, this study analyzes the factors influencing users’ familiarity with AI learning robots in a smart learning environment tailored to the untact era. To this end, social big data analysis was used to examine changes in public perception and the frequency of mentions of smart learning and AI learning robots. The results showed that positive perceptions of smart learning significantly outweigh negative ones, reflecting the convenience and improved accessibility that technology brings to education. However, there is also a considerable negative perception attached to smartphone use, which is interpreted as reflecting concerns that smartphones may disrupt learning and bring other negative aspects of technology dependence. These results indicate mixed social concerns and expectations regarding the educational use of smart learning and AI technologies. The effective introduction and use of AI learning robots, especially in smart learning environments, necessitate considering these social perceptions. This study provides foundational data for the effective implementation and use of AI learning robots in smart learning environments and suggests the need for approaches that primarily consider users’ familiarity and social perceptions in the development of educational technologies.

keyword : AI 학습 로봇, 소셜 빅데이터, 피드백, 친밀감, AI Learning Robot, Social Big Data, Feedback, Intimacy

In this study, we aimed to determine the effect on cerebral blood vessels of various stimulus intensities using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). In particular, we wanted to monitor changes in blood flow and structural changes in the blood vessels in the common carotid artery (CCA) through low-intensity electrical stimulation that can cause non-perceptual sensory stimulation. Twenty-four healthy adults in their 20s participated in this study. Three stimulus intensities (below the sensory threshold, at the sensory threshold, and above the sensory threshold) were applied in random order. Changes in blood flow velocity according to the intensity of TENS stimulus were measured by placing the Doppler ultrasound transducer 1 cm below the CCA bifurcation, and the vascular structure was measured using B-mode imaging. C-mode Doppler and B-mode images were acquired before, during, and after the intervention for each stimulus, and changes in blood pressure were measured in each session. As a result, it was confirmed that peak systolic velocity (PSV) decreased significantly after the intervention in non-perceived sensory stimulation below the threshold, compared to other thresholds (p = .008). In particular, the PSV decreased by 3.04% on average compared to before stimulation (p = .011). However, there was no significant change in the CCA diameters before and after stimulation at all intensities. It was found that short-term, non-perceptual sensory stimulation was effective in reducing the blood flow rate without causing significant changes in either the blood vessel diameter or blood pressure. This change appears to be caused by a decrease in blood flow due to the effect of subtle vasodilation at non-perceptual sensory stimulation, and at stimulation intensity higher than that, the sympathetic nerves in the blood vessels are stimulated excessively and the blood vessels constrict. Therefore, this study can be rated as an important attempt to control blood flow through stimulation without such a psychological burden and sensory discomfort in the carotid area.

keyword : 경동맥, 비지각 자극, 수축기 최대 혈류속도, 경피신경전기자극기, 혈관 확장성, Common Carotid Artery, Non-perceptual Stimulation, Peak Systolic Velocity, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, Vascular Dilation

The increase in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace has introduced changes to traditional working environments. However, these are changes not only to employee productivity but also to how employees feel and think about their work. Based on prior research that has suggested connections between employees’ perceptions of AI and their emotions and thoughts at work, the present study tested a moderated mediation model in which the perception of AI opportunity is indirectly related to job insecurity via employee hope, with tenure as a moderator. Data obtained from 290 Korean full-time employees illustrated that the perception of AI opportunity was negatively related to job insecurity through hope acting as a mediator. In addition, this indirect relationship was found to be dependent on the moderating role of tenure. Specifically, at lower levels of tenure, the aforementioned indirect relationship was statistically significant, but at higher levels of tenure, this indirect relationship was no longer found to be statistically significant. The implications, limitations, and future research directions of this study are discussed.

keyword : AI Opportunity Perception, Job Insecurity, Hope, Tenure

Forward head posture (FHP) is a representative postural deformation problem in people today, causing various physical and mental problems, but the effect of FHP on discomfort or distraction during rest is not well known. Accordingly, this study aims to demonstrate the effect of FHP on these brain functions by analyzing brain wave signals at rest. Thirty-three heavy users of computers participated in this study, and all of them exhibited functional FHP when using computers. All participants performed using both normal posture and FHP, and their brain waves were measured at rest while maintaining each posture for five minutes without stimulation. Brain wave signals were acquired using EEG with 32 channels, and through frequency analysis, changes in delta and beta waves, known to be closely related to discomfort and attention, were compared and analyzed depending on the posture. As a result, FHP showed a significant decrease in delta waves in nine channels compared to the normal posture, and a significant increase in beta waves in 14 channels, showing that FHP does affect brain function at rest. These changes are consistent with those that occur under conditions of psychological discomfort and distraction, and they appear to be because the increased discomfort caused by musculoskeletal changes in the FHP also affects brain activity. These can provide important results showing that posture correction can help improve brain function and psychological state at rest.

keyword : 거북목 자세, 휴식시 뇌파, 불편함, 주의력, 델타파, 베타파, Forward Head Posture, Resting-state Brain Waves, Discomfort, Attention, Delta Waves, Beta Waves