Science of the mind and body
We are conducting research into the human mind and body motion using various biometric and cognitive scientific techniques.
Evaluation research into the effects of image processing
We are analyzing and evaluating the effects of image processing using cognitive scientific techniques and fMRI jointly with Professor Yoshiaki Kikuchi, Department of Frontier Health Sciences, Graduate School of Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University.
In order to develop image processing techniques that can be used to produce the same feelings in people viewing the image as were experienced by the photographer when shooting the image, we applied image processing that emphasizes the main subject based on a hypothesis that the emotions forming the basis of deep impressions are derived from the recall of memory during viewing. We called these images emotion-weighted images.
Next, we prepared test subjects under fMRI and showed them three kinds of images including the new “emotion-weighted images”, together with “color-emphasized images” in which the colors in the overall image were enhanced using traditional image processing techniques and the “original images” with ordinary subject representation.
We are analyzing and evaluating the effects of image processing using cognitive scientific techniques and fMRI jointly with Professor Yoshiaki Kikuchi, Department of Frontier Health Sciences, Graduate School of Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University.
In order to develop image processing techniques that can be used to produce the same feelings in people viewing the image as were experienced by the photographer when shooting the image, we applied image processing that emphasizes the main subject based on a hypothesis that the emotions forming the basis of deep impressions are derived from the recall of memory during viewing. We called these images emotion-weighted images.
Next, we prepared test subjects under fMRI and showed them three kinds of images including the new “emotion-weighted images”, together with “color-emphasized images” in which the colors in the overall image were enhanced using traditional image processing techniques and the “original images” with ordinary subject representation.
Test results and general considerations
(1)When the brain functional images of all test subjects were analyzed, we found that there were differences in left and right between the brain activity caused by color-enhanced images and that caused by emotion-weighted images. This result elucidated that subjects recognize color-enhanced images as overall images and emotion-weighted images as partially enhanced images.
This means that the image processing applied for the emotion-weighted images was understood by the subjects as intended, or as the processing to let the main subject stand out in the image, as intended.
(2)The brain functional images of test subjects showed that the brain regions associated with the intensity of emotions in episode memory and those associated with autobiographical memory are activated more by the emotion-weighted images than the color-enhanced images. This result suggests that the emotion-weighted images more effectively stimulate autobiographical memory as well as more intense emotions and sentiments.
(3)Based on the results of the subjective evaluation test of the three kinds of images, the subjects were classified into a subject group favoring the emotion-weighted images and one favoring the color-enhanced images and the two groups were compared. It was found that the former group, the group that preferred emotion-weighted images showed brain activity in the region related to the reward connected to positive emotions in response to the emotion-weighted images more than in response to color-enhanced images. This suggests that stronger positive emotions were possibly induced in them.
For more details of this research, please refer to the following report.
(1)When the brain functional images of all test subjects were analyzed, we found that there were differences in left and right between the brain activity caused by color-enhanced images and that caused by emotion-weighted images. This result elucidated that subjects recognize color-enhanced images as overall images and emotion-weighted images as partially enhanced images.
This means that the image processing applied for the emotion-weighted images was understood by the subjects as intended, or as the processing to let the main subject stand out in the image, as intended.
(2)The brain functional images of test subjects showed that the brain regions associated with the intensity of emotions in episode memory and those associated with autobiographical memory are activated more by the emotion-weighted images than the color-enhanced images. This result suggests that the emotion-weighted images more effectively stimulate autobiographical memory as well as more intense emotions and sentiments.
(3)Based on the results of the subjective evaluation test of the three kinds of images, the subjects were classified into a subject group favoring the emotion-weighted images and one favoring the color-enhanced images and the two groups were compared. It was found that the former group, the group that preferred emotion-weighted images showed brain activity in the region related to the reward connected to positive emotions in response to the emotion-weighted images more than in response to color-enhanced images. This suggests that stronger positive emotions were possibly induced in them.
For more details of this research, please refer to the following report.
