A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What type of facial expressions were used in the "hot" version of the task in experiment 2?

1. Neutral expressions

2. Happy and fearful expressions

3. Angry expressions

4. Surprised expressions

The correct answer is: Happy and fearful expressions

The correct answer points to the use of happy and fearful expressions in the "hot" version of the task in experiment 2. This task likely involves understanding how different emotions can influence perceptions and behaviors in social situations. In this context, happy expressions are often associated with positive social cues that can foster approach behavior and facilitate social bonding, while fearful expressions signal the presence of potential threats, leading to avoidance or caution. By including both happy and fearful expressions, the experiment examines a range of emotional responses and their effect on participant reactions. This approach allows researchers to investigate the dual impact of positive and negative emotions, providing insights into the complexities of emotional processing and social interactions. Understanding these dynamics is crucial in psychology, as it sheds light on how our emotional responses to facial expressions can guide our decisions and influence interpersonal relationships. The other options represent different emotional states that do not align with the specific intent of this version of the task, which focuses on contrasting how happiness and fear can shape social judgments and behaviors.