APS

2026 APS Annual Convention · 2026

Distinct Valence-Arousal Patterns In Extraordinary Altruists' Perception of Facial Emotion

Barcelona, Spain · May 2026

Posters · Emotion & Motivation: What Drives the Self

  • Taein Lee
    Pusan National University, South Korea
  • Donggun Kim
    Hanyang University
  • Chulhee Kang
    Yonsei University
  • Sunhae Sul
    Hanyang University

Abstract

This study examined whether extraordinary altruists perceive facial emotions differently from ordinary individuals. They reported lower arousal to happy faces and higher arousal to sad and disgust faces. Organ and stem cell donors showed negative valence-arousal relationships for happy faces, suggesting distinct emotional cue processing that may underlie altruistic behavior.

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