How reward modulates mimicry: EMG evidence of greater automatic facial mimicry of more rewarding faces

Sims, T. B. , Van Reekum, C. M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1516-1101, Johnstone, T. and Chakrabarti, B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6649-7895 (2012) How reward modulates mimicry: EMG evidence of greater automatic facial mimicry of more rewarding faces. Psychophysiology, 49 (7). pp. 998-1004. ISSN 0048-5772 doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2012.01377.x

Abstract/Summary

Spontaneous mimicry is a marker of empathy. Conditions characterized by reduced spontaneous mimicry (e.g., autism) also display deficits in sensitivity to social rewards. We tested if spontaneous mimicry of socially rewarding stimuli (happy faces) depends on the reward value of stimuli in 32 typical participants. An evaluative conditioning paradigm was used to associate different reward values with neutral target faces. Subsequently, electromyographic activity over the Zygomaticus Major was measured whilst participants watched video clips of the faces making happy expressions. Higher Zygomaticus Major activity was found in response to happy faces conditioned with high reward versus low reward. Moreover, autistic traits in the general population modulated the extent of spontaneous mimicry of happy faces. This suggests a link between reward and spontaneous mimicry and provides a possible underlying mechanism for the reduced response to social rewards seen in autism.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/27489
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Interdisciplinary centres and themes > ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) Research Network Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Psychopathology and Affective Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Research Centres (IDRCs) > Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics (CINN) Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Department of Psychology Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Neuroscience Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Social
Publisher	Wiley-Blackwell
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