Camera movement as nonverbal communication: An Adaptation of Heider and Simmel (1944)

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Abstract

Adapted from Heider and Simmel (1944), the current study found that participants (N = 107) made consistent attributions of a camera operator’s emotions based on the movement of the camera image. Using a within-subjects design with random ordering assignment three conditions were presented to each participant: high-quality, medium-quality, and low-quality camera movements. The high-quality condition, which used smooth, synchronous movements, showed higher levels of positively valanced emotions (M = 4.42, SD = 1.44) than negatively valanced emotions (M = 1.71, SD = .84) while the low-quality condition, with abrupt, asynchronous movement, showed higher levels of negatively valanced emotions (M = 3.56, SD = 1.35) than positively valanced emotions (M = 1.99, SD = 1.11). A repeated measures ANOVA, with operator condition as the independent variable and overall performance as the dependent variable, was significant overall and in each case, the contrast between the three conditions was statistically significant. Based on only a single camera zoom-in, participants discerned significant differences in both emotions and performance levels between the high-quality, medium-quality, and low-quality conditions. The results demonstrate that attributions of emotions in the movement of inanimate objects can be replicated using camera movement as a stimulus. In addition to having practical implications for content production environments generally, the findings extend the literature on nonverbal communication, attributions of movement, and perceptions of emotions.

Authors

• Ben Lynn, University of Florida

• Roxane Coche, University of Florida