The Noh mask test for analysis of recognition of facial expression

Abstract

A preliminary study on the Noh mask test for analysis of recognition of facial expression was performed. The present study was conducted on 15 normal subjects (mean age: 32 years, SD 9.7 years) as the first step to test for the differences between psychiatric patients and normal subjects. Stimuli were created by photographs of 15 Noh masks at different vertical angles. Subjects were given 12 tasks (12 emotion items), and each task consisted of 15 trials (15 Noh mask images). In each trial, the subject viewed a colour monitor, and was shown an emotion item, followed by a Noh mask image. The subject pressed either the yes or no key to indicate whether the Noh mask image expressed the emotion item. The subject’s response and reaction time to each Noh mask image showed no deviation, although the subject’s response and reaction time to each emotion item showed some deviation. As the vertical angle of the Noh mask changed, normal subjects recognized all emotion items except the ‘uncanny’ expression. Factor analysis of the 15 Noh mask images produced three factors, and the analysis of 12 emotion items produced five factors. Thus, the Noh mask test was simplified to nine images and nine items. Further developments of the Noh mask test may include the evaluation of the dysfunction of perception on delicate facial expression in psychiatric patients.

Shadows Alter Facial Expressions of Noh Masks

“…These results show trends opposite to the rules of Noh, consistently with the previous findings using vertically tilted Noh mask images [4]–[6], [9]. The present data thus suggest comparable effect of tilting angles, by simply manipulating the shadows of the Noh mask images.…”

“…In Experiment 1, shadows extracted from happy and sad faces of the Noh masks significantly imposed happier and sadder impressions to the otherwise neutral-faced masks, respectively. Similarities and differences between four different types of masks are noteworthy, because a large part of the preceding studies involved only a single type of the mask [4]–[6]. The effect of shadows were overall similar for all types of Noh masks, even though the happy conditions regarding Koomote and Doji seem to have reflected a ceiling effect.…”

“…Minoshita et al [6] analyzed large numbers of emotions and found that, for example, downward tilted Noh masks were recognized as happier, more composed, and less surprised, than upward tilted masks (see also [7], [8]). Nishimura et al [4] used images of either the Noh mask alone, or the mask together with the body, and revealed that pictures with small downward inclinations were recognized as sadder, while those with larger downward inclinations as happier.…”

The Mysterious Noh Mask: Contribution of Multiple Facial Parts to the Recognition of Emotional Expressions

“…For example, lip corners seen from above and below appear to be drawn upwards (as if being happy) and downwards (as if being sad), respectively. Minoshita et al [8] also confirmed these findings by analyzing larger numbers of emotional categories. For example, downward tilted masks were recognized as happier, more composed, and less surprised, compared with upward tilted masks (see also [9]–[10]).…”

The visual perception of emotion from masks

“…Given that artists have been creating masks for many thousands of years from cultures all around the world, it is surprising that almost no scientific research evaluating the perception of emotion from masks has been conducted to date. Some studies [10][11] have investigated the perception of emotion from Japanese Noh masks, but there is nothing else. In the study by Minoshita et al [10], participants viewed images of a single Noh mask presented at a variety of orientations (face oriented up or down by various degrees) and were required to indicate, yes or no, for each image whether the mask appeared "sad", "surprised", or "happy".…”