Understanding emotional responses to text: a psycholinguistic investigation of visual influences

The paper explores the influence of visual elements on the emotional perception of textual content. Based on the experimental results, the authors evaluated how illustrations affected emotional responses to polycode/creolized texts. By using the semantic differential scales method, correlations between emotions and specific visual parameters were identified and analyzed. The results revealed how visual parameters of illustrations influence emotional responses to text in Russian, suggesting potential adjustments to emotional perception by manipulating these parameters: illustration style impacts recipient emotions; ambiguity and originality increase negative emotions, while realistic illustrations have varied effects. Additionally, the study investigated how variations in illustration style and content altered emotional interpretations of text, providing insights into the complex interplay between visual and verbal elements in communication. The findings suggest practical implications for educational material development, emphasizing the potential to adjust the emotional perception of textual content by manipulating visual characteristics. This research sheds light on the dynamics of emotional response to multimedia stimuli and offers valuable considerations for content creators seeking to optimize audience engagement and comprehension. It attempts to bridge the gap between visual perception, emotion processing, and linguistic communication, offering insights for both practical applications in NLP (Natural Language Processing) and theoretical advancements in cognitive sciences.