Technology Research on
Emotion Tracking Technology
Focusing on
Awe Experiences
Face-Tracking: The active Facial Points of an expression or gesture are highlighted and exaggerated to make an otherwise muted response more noticeable.
Analysis of Participant: I want to understand what happens between the moment the question is asked, and the moment the question is answered.
Assumption & Discoveries: the effects of sharing an awe experience; sharing an experience can create a type of shared experience between people. How does the participant's behavior change from entering an unfamiliar setting (the people and place) to leaving it? Studies have shown that awe experiences induce prosocial behavior. If it does, how are these prosocial behaviors expressed? What does an expression of prosocial-ness look like if such a thing exists?
My Tools:
Unity 3D
Emotion Tracking API
Open Broadcasting Software (OBS)
What do we want to capture?
+ visceral experiences: connecting the emotional to physiological responses
+ real-time information: displayed live of the face-to-face interaction between participant and researcher.
+ the human experience: shared experiences
Why?
To understand what we can't see with our own eyes. The human experience is affected by many factors: the current and changing conditions of the person being observed and their immediate environment. If we can find a way to remove the elements that distract and hinder a person's openness from being present or sharing without concern, then can we evaluate the nuisance responses of one's emotion during an experience or telling of an experience in a real sense?
How can we use emotion-tracking technology to widen our perception rather than constrain our view of "who" into a narrow lens?
Research Question:
What words/ideas trigger what emotional-physiological response?
The interviews focused on these four questions and were asked in this order. The purpose was to ease participants toward the final question by digging deep and extracting high valence memories or experiences without asking too many questions, but giving them enough time recall a moment of awe that they are open to sharing with me.
1. What is awe to you?
2. What is the earliest memory you can remember?
3. What is your pet peeve?
4. Can you describe a moment when you felt awe?
Participant: Nidhi
What is your pet peeve?
