Have you ever felt goosebumps or the warmth of a tender family scene while watching a horror movie? These skin reactions may tell you more about your emotions than you think, according to researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University. A team led by Professor Shogo Okamoto investigated a fascinating question: could the conductivity of our skin shed light on our emotions?

When we experience different sensations, the electrical properties of our skin change dramatically due to sweating. Signals about these changes occur within one to three seconds of the initial emotional trigger. This may sound complicated, but let’s keep it simple: Different emotions cause our skin to behave differently.

Skin reaction to various emotions

To investigate this, researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University conducted an experiment in which volunteers watched different types of videos while wearing skin probes. These videos were very diverse: from dizzying horror scenes to delightful family bonds and funny performances by comedians. Each scene offered clear moments where the audience’s emotions were significantly triggered.

The team recorded and analyzed transmission traces after each video; This led to some interesting findings. It turned out that these gruesome scenes caused the longest reaction. It may be our body’s survival mechanism that keeps us alert in potentially dangerous situations. When comparing touching family scenes with humorous clips, the former caused a slower response. This may reflect the complex mix of happiness and sadness that often accompanies intense family moments.

Revealing the emotional mystery

But the most exciting part of their research was when the team discovered that different numbers from skin conductance traces could help distinguish a viewer’s emotions. Although they cannot yet describe emotions with absolute accuracy, the data can predict with significant accuracy whether a person is experiencing fear or the warmth of family ties.

Why does the skin react to emotions?

The findings regarding increased reactions during terrifying scenes of fear and slower reactions during touching family moments warrant further investigation. Several factors may contribute to these characteristic emotional response patterns.

survival instincts

Our physiological responses to fear-inducing stimuli, such as scenes of fear, may have roots in our evolutionary past. Long-term reactions can be explained by our body’s survival mechanism designed to keep us alert and ready for potentially dangerous situations. These scenes can stimulate the release of stress hormones, increasing our emotions and readiness to respond.

complexity of emotions

Touching family scenes often evoke a combination of happiness and sadness and lead to more subtle and complex emotional experiences. These conflicting emotions may require additional cognitive processing, resulting in a slower physiological response. The interplay of joy and nostalgia in these moments can foster a unique pattern of emotional engagement.

Individual differences and personal context

Emotional responses can vary greatly from person to person due to personal experience, cultural background, and individual sensitivities. Factors such as past traumas, personal values, and individual preferences can influence the intensity and duration of emotional reactions. When interpreting these findings, it is important to consider a variety of subjective experiences.

The future of emotional response analysis

Studying skin conductance traces opens new possibilities for understanding and interpreting emotions As technology continues to advance, it is not too far off to imagine a future where devices can accurately detect our emotions in real time. It could revolutionize a variety of fields, including entertainment, healthcare and communications.

Personalized movies can be created to tailor their stories to emotional engagement. Medical devices can be designed to provide immediate support based on specific emotions. The potential applications are vast and exciting.

Skin devices that detect emotions

Imagine a world where skin devices can sense your emotions and adapt their services accordingly. Although such technology relies heavily on facial expressions, skin conductance can be a rich source of alternative information, especially when facial data is not available.

The world of emotionally perceived technology may still be a few steps away, but this study brings us a significant step closer. While it opens exciting new doors in the world of technology, it also contributes to a better understanding of human emotions. Ultimately, the fascinating study of the conductivity of skin and its potential to unlock human emotions opens up a world of possibilities for emotionally responsive technologies. This work was supported by an Institutional Research Grant from Tokyo Metropolitan University. The study was published in the journal IEEE Access.