1
|
Liu H, Zhang D, Zhu Y, Ma H, Xiao H. Emotions spread like contagious diseases. Front Psychol 2025; 16:1493512. [PMID: 40271352 PMCID: PMC12014600 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1493512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2025] [Indexed: 04/25/2025] Open
Abstract
Emotional contagion, that is, the spontaneous synchronization of emotions among individuals, is the basic mechanism of social cohesion and survival of different species. Emotional contagion can be observed in humans and many animals, and it has become an effective means to protect individuals from danger. The study of emotional contagion in different animals is of evolutionary significance, and in human society, emotional contagion has an important impact on mental health and group behavior. However, the existing research still has obvious shortcomings in the similarities and differences of cross-species emotional contagion, the communication dynamics in virtual space and the infectious effect of positive emotions. This paper reviews the mechanisms of emotional contagion in different species, such as rodents, nonhuman primates, dogs, crows and zebrafish, highlighting evolutionary conservatism and species-specific adaptation, and analyzes the role of human children's behavioral mimicry in its early development. Furthermore, we extend the discussion of emotional contagion to virtual social networks, revealing the unique communication mechanism in online environment. In addition, by combing the sociological model and the emerging neurocognitive model, the complex process of emotional contagion can be explained more comprehensively. Through multidisciplinary perspective, it provides systematic theoretical and empirical support for us to understand emotional contagion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Liu
- Nursing Department, Tianjin Union Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Dong Zhang
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yaning Zhu
- Nursing Department, Tianjin Union Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongwen Ma
- Nursing Department, Tianjin Union Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongling Xiao
- School of Nursing, Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, Zhejiang, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Brosnan A, Knapska E. Cheerful tails: Delving into positive emotional contagion. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 161:105674. [PMID: 38614451 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
This review delves into the phenomenon of positive emotional contagion (PEC) in rodents, an area that remains relatively understudied compared to the well-explored realm of negative emotions such as fear or pain. Rodents exhibit clear preferences for individuals expressing positive emotions over neutral counterparts, underscoring the importance of detecting and responding to positive emotional signals from others. We thoroughly examine the adaptive function of PEC, highlighting its pivotal role in social learning and environmental adaptation. The developmental aspect of the ability to interpret positive emotions is explored, intricately linked to maternal care and social interactions, with oxytocin playing a central role in these processes. We discuss the potential involvement of the reward system and draw attention to persisting gaps in our understanding of the neural mechanisms governing PEC. Presenting a comprehensive overview of the existing literature, we focus on food-related protocols such as the Social Transmission of Food Preferences paradigm and tickling behaviour. Our review emphasizes the pressing need for further research to address lingering questions and advance our comprehension of positive emotional contagion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam Brosnan
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, BRAINCITY - Centre of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewelina Knapska
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, BRAINCITY - Centre of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hodgson E, Rooney NJ, Hockenhull J. Preliminary Behavioural Observations of Horseback Safaris: Initial Insights into the Welfare Implications for Horses and Herbivorous Plains Game Species. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12040441. [PMID: 35203149 PMCID: PMC8868349 DOI: 10.3390/ani12040441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In Africa, wildlife-watching experiences create substantial revenue from tourists that can finance wildlife conservation. Horseback safaris, where an experienced guide takes guests through the bush on horseback to observe plains game species, are a popular activity. Close encounters between ridden horses and game species are unnatural and potentially stressful situations, and horseback safaris may have adverse impacts on both the horses and the wildlife they have come to observe. This study aims to provide a preliminary insight into the behavioural responses of horses and herbivorous plains game species, including giraffe, zebra and impala, as a proxy measure of the potential welfare implications of horseback safaris. Seventeen group safari rides were observed encompassing 72 encounters with plains game species. Game species differed in their response to encounters with the horseback safari ride. Equine response behaviour appeared to be influenced by the species of game encountered. Horses seemed more wary of giraffe than other species, with a higher percentage of horses showing stationary and retreat behaviour at the start of giraffe encounters. They were also most likely to shy at giraffe. The behavioural responses suggest that game encounters can elicit a stress response in both animal groups, although it is not usually extreme, potentially indicating that some degree of habituation has occurred. Balancing the welfare of both the horses and the plains game species along with tourist preferences may be challenging in this context.
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang L, Chen W, Liu M, Ou Y, Xu E, Hu P. Light makeup decreases receivers' negative emotional experience. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23802. [PMID: 34893652 PMCID: PMC8664826 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03129-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Makeup is widely used in modern society and has a positive effect on perceived attractiveness. However, little is known about the other possible outcomes of makeup use. In this study, we investigated whether makeup enhances a receiver's emotional experience. Dynamic faces with or without makeup are presented in Experiments 1 and 2. Participants were asked to imagine themselves video chatting with a target person (expresser) with different expressions: neutral, angry, sad, or happy, and then to appraise their own subjective emotional experience. Emotional valence, arousal, and willingness to communicate were also assessed in Experiment 2. The results showed that makeup improved perceived facial attractiveness and increased the willingness to communicate. More importantly, it revealed that wearing makeup could weaken receivers' negative experiences arising from the angry and sad conditions, which is not the case for the non-makeup condition, but could not affect the happy contagion. Furthermore, incremental changes in the amount of makeup were not accompanied by incremental changes in emotional appraisal (valence and arousal). Overall, we found that makeup may affect emotional contagion and interpersonal communication. Whether the alleviated negative experience due to makeup is adaptive may need further discussion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Wenfeng Chen
- Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Menghan Liu
- Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Yuxiao Ou
- Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Erjia Xu
- Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Ping Hu
- Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Adriaense JEC, Šlipogor V, Hintze S, Marshall L, Lamm C, Bugnyar T. Watching others in a positive state does not induce optimism bias in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), but leads to behaviour indicative of competition. Anim Cogn 2021; 24:1039-1056. [PMID: 33725202 PMCID: PMC8360889 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-021-01497-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Emotional contagion is suggested to facilitate group life by enhancing synchronized responses to the environment. Cooperative breeders are an example of a social system that requires such intricate coordination between individuals. Therefore, we studied emotional contagion in common marmosets by means of a judgement bias test. Demonstrators were exposed to an emotion manipulation (i.e., positive, negative, control), and observers perceived only the demonstrator's behaviour. We predicted that the positive or negative states of the demonstrator would induce matching states in the observer, indicating emotional contagion. All subjects' emotional states were assessed through behaviour and cognition, the latter by means of a judgement bias test. Behavioural results showed a successful emotion manipulation of demonstrators, with manipulation-congruent expressions (i.e., positive calls in the positive condition, and negative calls and pilo-erect tail in the negative condition). Observers showed no manipulation-congruent expressions, but showed more scratching and arousal after the positive manipulation. Concerning the judgement bias test, we predicted that subjects in a positive state should increase their response to ambiguous cues (i.e., optimism bias), and subjects in a negative state should decrease their response (i.e., pessimism bias). This prediction was not supported as neither demonstrators nor observers showed such bias in either manipulation. Yet, demonstrators showed an increased response to the near-positive cue, and additional analyses showed unexpected responses to the reference cues, as well as a researcher identity effect. We discuss all results combined, including recently raised validation concerns of the judgement bias test, and inherent challenges to empirically studying emotional contagion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J E C Adriaense
- Evolutionary Cognition Group, Department of Anthropology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Unit, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - V Šlipogor
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Zoology, University of South Bohemia, Budweiss, Czech Republic
| | - S Hintze
- Division of Livestock Sciences, Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
| | - L Marshall
- Bristol Veterinary School, Langford House, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - C Lamm
- Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Unit, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - T Bugnyar
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Dai YY, Zhan GJ, Ye Y, Bao W, Wen T, Cheong KH, Xie NG. Game dynamics of emotion evolution based on the Moran process. CHAOS (WOODBURY, N.Y.) 2021; 31:033153. [PMID: 33810732 DOI: 10.1063/5.0033680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, emotions are classified into four types, namely, respect for the strong, envying the strong, sympathy for the weak, and bullying the weak. The corresponding relationship between the four emotion types and the two behaviors of competition and cooperation is then defined. The payoff matrices of the game based on emotions are obtained and the evolutionary dynamics of the four emotion types in a finite population based on the Moran process are studied. Next, we derive the absorption probabilities of a 4×4 symmetric evolutionary game of the population. The influence of the payoff parameters and the natural selection intensity on the result of the group evolution are then analyzed. The calculations indicate that there are differences in the absorption probabilities of the four absorption states of the system. At a steady state, individuals of the types envying the strong and bullying the weak have the highest probability of occupying the entire population, and individuals of the type respect for the strong and sympathy for the weak have the lowest one. By comparing the level of cooperation and average payoffs at a steady state, we observe that the level of cooperation and average payoffs based on the proposed model are better than those of the prisoner's dilemma game with two behaviors. Therefore, emotional evolution can promote cooperation and achieve better group fitness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Yun Dai
- School of Management Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Ma'anshan 243002, Anhui, China
| | - Guang-Jie Zhan
- School of Management Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Ma'anshan 243002, Anhui, China
| | - Ye Ye
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Ma'anshan 243002, Anhui, China
| | - Wei Bao
- School of Management Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Ma'anshan 243002, Anhui, China
| | - Tao Wen
- Science, Mathematics and Technology Cluster, Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), 8 Somapah Road, Singapore S487372
| | - Kang Hao Cheong
- Science, Mathematics and Technology Cluster, Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), 8 Somapah Road, Singapore S487372
| | - Neng-Gang Xie
- School of Management Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Ma'anshan 243002, Anhui, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Csoltova E, Mehinagic E. Where Do We Stand in the Domestic Dog ( Canis familiaris ) Positive-Emotion Assessment: A State-of-the-Art Review and Future Directions. Front Psychol 2020; 11:2131. [PMID: 33013543 PMCID: PMC7506079 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although there have been a growing number of studies focusing on dog welfare, the research field concerning dog positive-emotion assessment remains mostly unexplored. This paper aims to provide a state-of-the-art review and summary of the scattered and disperse research on dog positive-emotion assessment. The review notably details the current advancement in dog positive-emotion research, what approaches, measures, methods, and techniques have been implemented so far in emotion perception, processing, and response assessment. Moreover, we propose possible future research directions for short-term emotion as well as longer-term emotional states assessment in dogs. The review ends by identifying and addressing some methodological limitations and by pointing out further methodological research needs.
Collapse
|
8
|
Diquelou MC, Griffin AS. Behavioral Responses of Invasive and Nuisance Vertebrates to Harvesting: A Mechanistic Framework. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|
9
|
Katayama M, Kubo T, Yamakawa T, Fujiwara K, Nomoto K, Ikeda K, Mogi K, Nagasawa M, Kikusui T. Emotional Contagion From Humans to Dogs Is Facilitated by Duration of Ownership. Front Psychol 2019; 10:1678. [PMID: 31379690 PMCID: PMC6658615 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Emotional contagion is a primitive form of empathy that does not need higher psychological functions. Recent studies reported that emotional contagion exists not only between humans but also among various animal species. The dog (Canis familiaris) is a unique animal and the oldest domesticated species. Dogs have coexisted with humans for more than 30,000 years and are woven into human society as partners bonding with humans. Dogs have acquired human-like communication skills and, likely as a result of the domestication process, the ability to read human emotions; therefore, it is feasible that there may be emotional contagion between human and dogs. However, the higher time-resolution of measurement of emotional contagion between them is yet to be conducted. We assessed the emotional reactions of dogs and humans by heart rate variability (HRV), which reflects emotion, under a psychological stress condition on the owners. The correlation coefficients of heart beat (R-R) intervals (RRI), the standard deviations of all RR intervals (SDNN), and the square root of the mean of the sum of the square of differences between adjacent RR intervals (RMSSD) between dogs and owners were positively correlated with the duration of dog ownership. Dogs’ sex also influenced the correlation coefficients of the RRI, SDNN, and RMSSD in the control condition; female showed stronger values. These results suggest that emotional contagion from owner to dog can occur especially in females and the time sharing the same environment is the key factor in inducing the efficacy of emotional contagion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maki Katayama
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Takatomi Kubo
- Division of Information Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
| | - Toshitaka Yamakawa
- Research Promotion Division, Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Koichi Fujiwara
- Human Systems Laboratory, Department of Systems Science, Graduate School of Informatics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kensaku Nomoto
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Kazushi Ikeda
- Division of Information Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Mogi
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Miho Nagasawa
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Takefumi Kikusui
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Fernandes Silva P, Garcia de Leaniz C, Luchiari AC. Fear contagion in zebrafish: a behaviour affected by familiarity. Anim Behav 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
11
|
Sarlon J, Staniloiu A, Schöntges A, Kordon A. Vegetative symptoms and behaviour of the therapy-accompanying dog of a chronically suicidal patient. BMJ Case Rep 2018; 2018:bcr-2018-225483. [PMID: 30150341 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2018-225483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
We herein present a 51-year-old single female inpatient with treatment-resistant recurrent depressive disorder. Her most recent depressive episode has been severe and followed a chronic course, lasting for longer than 2 years. During the exacerbation of the patient's suicidal thoughts and plans, we repeatedly and independently observed vegetative and behavioural changes of the therapy-accompanying dog of the patient. Our findings suggest a role for dog-assisted therapy for augmenting treatment as well as for enhancing and developing novel adjunctive strategies for risk assessment in patients with chronic depression and suicidality. Possible social-biological mechanisms and underpinnings are discussed, by drawing on the available literature and comparative psychology. Collaboration with animal behaviourists and animal welfare scientists, in order to improve behavioural and physiological data interpretation and humaneness of dog-assisted therapy, is emphasised as a crucial component of future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Sarlon
- Psychiatry, Oberbergklinik Schwarzwald, Hornberg, Germany
| | - Angelica Staniloiu
- Psychiatry, Oberbergklinik Schwarzwald, Hornberg, Germany.,Physiological Psychology Department, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Kordon
- Psychiatry, Oberbergklinik Schwarzwald, Hornberg, Germany.,Psychiatry, Universitatsklinikum Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|