The present study investigated facial expressions as reactions to positive and negative feedback\nduring a human-computer interaction. Thirty subjects interacted in natural language with a computer\nsystem while conducting a mental task, which was designed in the style of a Wizard of Oz\nscenario. During six different experimental sequences from a well-known memory paradigm\n(ââ?¬Å?Concentrationââ?¬Â), the wizard produced different feedback as a manipulative tactic to alter the usersââ?¬â?¢\nreactions, e.g., praising the subject was assumed to exert a positive influence on the subjectsââ?¬â?¢\nmoods. To analyze the impact of various feedback on the emotional reaction, facial expressions\nfrom all subjects were coded with the Facial Expression Coding System (FACES). In general, the\noutcomes yielded more negative facial expressions in response to positive feedback as compared\nwith negative feedback. Furthermore, a gender difference was evident: women showed significantly\nmore negative facial expressions in response to praise (ââ?¬Å?Your performance is improvingââ?¬Â)\nthan men. The study and results show that when considering future companion technologies, it is\nimportant to carefully investigate usersââ?¬â?¢ reactions to feedback, since paradoxical reactions may\nensue.
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