Feeling Transcendent?: Measuring Psychophysiological Responses to Self-Transcendent Media Content

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Abstract

Research on the emotional processes and effects associated with hedonic and eudaimonic media content reception has indicated that self-transcendent content elicits both positive and negative emotion (e.g., mixed affect). Moreover, research indicates that self-transcendent media experiences can broaden our thought-action repertoires and build various personal resources associated with well-being and prosociality (e.g., sharing). The results from this study indicate that self-transcendent videos indeed elicit mixed affect indicated by both positive and negative emotional responses reflected by activation of the corrugator and orbicularis oculi major muscle regions (fEMG activation). Skin conductance, an indicator of psychological arousal, was also greater for these videos relative to funny videos. Further, when specific self-transcendent content (i.e., depictions of gratitude) appeared in self-transcendent videos, participant responses become more positive, less negative, and more arousing. The self-report data indicate that these emotions might indeed result in prosociality evidenced by greater intentions to share the videos with others.

Authors

• Russell Brent Clayton, Florida State U

• Arthur A. Raney, Florida State U

• Katherine R. Dale, Florida State U

• Mary Beth Oliver, Pennsylvania State U

• Sophie H Janicke-Bowles, Chapman University

• Joshua Hendrickse, Florida State U

• Rachel Secharan, Florida State U

• Madison Wilde, Florida State U

• Jonmichael Seibert, Florida State University