Towards a system-theoretic model for transition of affect

This study investigates the dynamic properties of affect from a system-theoretic point of view. A psychological study was conducted, in which affect was induced sequentially using pictures of the International Affective Picture System. Based on this experimental data, a piecewise linear model is formulated which describes average affective reactions of a human. System-theoretic analysis of this model reveals that the system shows complex dynamic characteristics, which can not only be explained by an additive influence of the stimulus on the current affective state. It suggests that there exist internal fluctuations. Furthermore, the joyous region contains a stable attractor. A second model concentrates on individual differences of affective reactions between humans. A Markov Chain estimates the probability that a person feels a specific affect depending on an external stimulus and the previous affective state. Using this model estimates on how a sequence of different affective stimuli influences the affective state can be calculated. The study proves that a system-theoretic approach is suitable for modeling emotions, in particular affective states, and can give additional insights on the dynamics of emotions.