Report on a Research Article
- What is the name of your journal?
The journal I have analyzed in the preparation of this report is Journal of Experimental Psychology: General edited by Gauthier Isabel.
- For whom does it seem to have been written? For example, is it directed towards a special kind of psychologists? Does it include articles that would be of interest to educators or others outside the field of academic psychology? If so, list several titles.
Empirical research is a crucial aspect in the lives of all kinds of psychologists. With this in mind, the journal contains articles that seem directed at a wide variety of psychologists. It is concerned with the publishing of empirical works cutting across several psychological communities. For instance, articles for social psychologists include; divine Intuition: Cognitive style influences belief in God by Shenhav Amitai et al. and Unconscious Evaluation of Faces on Social Dimension by Stewart et al. Neuropsychologists may be interested in Improving Working Memory Efficiency by Reframing Metacognitive Interpretation of Task Difficulty by Austin and Croizet.
The articles contained in the journal explore a broad perspective that can prove useful to the professionals in other fields. In the field of Education, The Nature of Gestures’ Beneficial Role in Spatial Problem Solving contains useful ideas for the classroom environment. The article Divine Intuition: Cognitive style influences belief in God may prove useful to religious leaders in understanding the psychological perspective and connection between psychology and religious beliefs.
- Choose a representative research article whose title interests you. Write the name of its title then briefly explain why it interests you.
Internal Representation Reveals Cultural Diversity in Expectations of Facial Expressions of Emotions
For the purpose of this report, I have selected the article named above. In the communication process, facial expressions are some of the significant non-verbal communication tools. A study of facial expressions dependent on the varied emotions individuals have is an interesting research process. This article explores the subject of facial expressions with great in-depth thus my interest in it. It does this through the analysis of evidence from distinct cultures; Asian and Caucasian.
- How long is the article?
This is a seven page article broken down into various sections catering for the different aspects. It consists of well-presented text and the use of; tables, images and diagrams. The reference page has been included in the page count.
- List major sections of the article as defined by their heads.
Major sections of this article include; Abstract, Introduction (Methods and Results), Validation of internal representations (Methods and Results), Validation of internal representations showing change of gaze, Discussion, Conclusion, and References.
- Does the author state the hypothesis of the research study? Write the hypothesis in the author’s words.
- Write the hypothesis in your own words.
In other words, the thoughts and actions exhibited by individuals from varying cultural backgrounds are dependent on their chosen conceptual framework. This consists of things such as; knowledge, values and beliefs the individuals hold dear. Individuals’ cultural dispositions have a significant influence on their view of the environment. The use of selected mental strategies makes it possible for the observer to acquire specific visual perceptions of their environment based on their cultural differences. One of the main ways this can be made possible is through the use of facial expressions.
- Who made up the study population?
In the selection of the study group, two differing cultural group were identified; East Asian and Western Caucasian observers. The Caucasian group was made up of 15 members; all European with exception to one individual who was from North America. The ratio of men to women was 8:7 in this group; evidence of gender balance. The Asian group, on the other hand, consisted of 15 individuals who were all Chinese. Ratio of male to female was 5:10 an imbalance.
- Does the article contain a section on the method used in conducting the study? Describe the method.
In the Methods section, the study used Reverse Correlation in the analysis of facial expressions. This is a psychophysical technique that provides a foundation for the estimation of the internal representation of the observer based on the tested facial expression of emotion.
- Which of the methods of scientific research describes in your psychology textbook under Research Methods is used?
Hypothesis testing is a method of scientific research used to determine the effect cultural differences may have in the display of emotion through facial expressions (Marder, 2011). This involves the use of statistics obtained from the experiment to determine if the hypotheses are true.
- Is there a discussion of the significance of the results?
Yes, a discussion of the significance of the results obtained has been carried out in the conclusion section. It explores the reasons why the study was carried out, this is detailed.
- Summarize the significance of the results in your own words.
A reconstruction of the various internal representations of the facial expressions showed by the observers was able to elicit different reactions from the Asian and Caucasian groups. This explains that cultural aspects affect our emotional communication expectations.
The data obtained from the study also proves that instead of the existence of a generalized emotion language, factors resulting from cultural differences have led to varying emotional languages across cultures by affecting every individual’s perception of emotional display through facials expressions.
The study also provides information into the study of gaze in social interaction. It shows that the direction a gaze takes is significant in reflecting emotional traits such as joy and anger among others.
- What conclusions are reached in your article?
In conclusion, the authors state and prove that aspect of culture has a significant impact on how an individual’s internal representation of various facial expressions showing emotion. The perception the observers had of emotions seemed dependent on their cultural diversity. The tests carried out were effective in proving the technique’s ability to capture accurate internal representations and the ecological effectiveness of expressions affected by culture (Marder, 2011).
- What is your reaction to the research article? For example, were there sections that you found difficult to understand? Were there sections that seemed very scientific? Are you convinced of the conclusions? Why? Why not?
My reaction to this research is one of satisfaction as I explore the authors’ effective analysis of the stud and the use of selected scientific research methods. The study process and findings are comprehensively presented with exception to the visual displays of facial expressions depicting different emotions. These should be made clearer and larger for better understanding. The conclusions are convincing as they are clear and back up the evidence provided during the data collection stage of the study. They are justifications of the hypotheses made earlier in the study.
- Summarize the article in your own words. How did it benefit you and how might it benefit us if we were to read it?
The article seeks to explore how cultural differences impact the internal representations individuals have. Since this can be done through observation of the external behavior, the research study is based on the facial expression of emotions such as; sadness, anger, fear, and happiness. It explores the selection of racially distinct groups; Caucasian and Asian to facilitate the acquisition of reliable and comprehensive data on the subject of the study. In the methodology section, steps are carried out sequentially to ensure all aspects of the study are recorded.
The article further explores the analysis and representation of the data obtained which is done through the use of comprehensible explanations and visuals such as tables and images (Caprette, 2000). In my opinion, this article has sufficiently explores the topic of study; introduction, experimentation process, and the provision of a conclusion that verifies the hypotheses stated at the beginning.
Reference
Caprette, D. R. (2000). How to Write a Research Report. Rice University, Retrieved, March 24, 2013 from http://www.dwb4.inl.edu/../reportform.html
Jack, R. E., Caldera, R., and Schyns, P. G. (2012). Internal Representation Reveal Cultural Diversity in Expectations of Facial Expressions of Emotion. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General. Ed. Gauthier, I., Retrieved March 24, 2013 from http://www.apa.org/pubs/jounals/xge/sample.aspx
Marder, M. P. (2011). Research Methods for Science. Austir: University of Texas. ISBN 9780521145848
