The Noh mask test for recognition of affect in facial expression

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First, the present study developed the Noh mask test as an experimental tool for analysis of recognition of facial expression. We used a Noh mask as stimuli, because it seems to express delicate emotions associated with personal relations and to be able to provide reliable data. The subjects are asked to view one of 18 Noh mask slides and to write freely about the emotion the mask expressed. Thirty-nine words extracted from the subjects' writing are used as scales. Second, subjects are asked to view each Noh mask and to rate its facial expression on a four-point similarity scale with regard to 39 emotional states. In our previous study of psychiatric patients, the results of factor analysis showed that the emotions perceived in the facial expressions of the Noh mask were composed of 8 factors. We developed an experimental tool using these 8 factors as scales to measure how psychiatric patients recognize facial expression in other people.Second, we performed the Noh mask test on subjects with menal problems and normal controls to elucidate the relationships between mental health and recognition of facial expression. The following results were obtained.(1) Comparing between cognitive abilities of facial expression in psychiatric patients and these in normal subjects, we found dysfunction of perception on delicate facial expression in psychiatric patients.(2) Comparing between cognitive abilities of facial expression in maladapted students and these in normal students, we found overvaluation of negative emotion on other's facial expression in maladapted students.