Facial expression recognition is modulated by approach–avoidance behavior

Facial expression recognition influences approach–avoidance behaviors, but do approach–avoidance behaviors affect facial expression recognition? We conducted psychophysical experiments to this end, indicating a reverse causal relationship. In a virtual reality space, 3D face stimulus facial expressions varied on seven levels—from happy to angry in Experiments 1 and 3 and from happy to fearful in Experiment 2. Participants were asked to perform according to one of the following conditions in response to the stimulus. Participants 1) approached (one-meter forward), 2) avoided (one-meter backward), 3) were approached by, or 4) were avoided by the 3D model. Then, participants selected facial expressions. Experiment 1 revealed that participants recognized the face as angrier when they avoided it rather than when it avoided them. Experiment 2 showed that participants recognized the face as happy when approaching and fearful when avoiding, irrespective of who acted. Experiment 3 revealed that participants recognized the face as angrier when the face approached them rather than when they approached if both parties were physically close. Accordingly, approach–avoidance behavior changes facial expression recognition, indicating a reverse causal relationship. We posit that unconscious learning rooted in biological instincts creates this connection.