How to use FaceReader in the lab

Are you interested in using automatic facial expression analysis in a standardized lab setting? Here are 5 tips to get you started!

Posted by

Guest Blogger

Published on

Thu 24 Mar. 2016

How to use FaceReader in the lab

By Marret K. Noordewier, PhD – Leiden University

Many researchers have turned towards using automated facial expression analysis software to help them with getting objective assessments of emotions. FaceReader is a well-established tool for the automation and analysis of facial expressions. 

Are you interested in using automatic facial expression analysis with FaceReader software in a standardized lab setting? Here are some tips to consider in addition to Leanne Loijens’ tips to optimize facial expression analyses.

FaceReader analysis lab settings woman

How to use FaceReader in the lab

With these five tips you are ensured to optimize your facial expression analysis during your lab research.

1. Position the camera below the computer screen

It is important to record participants’ faces from the front as much as possible (see also Loijens’ tip 2). When participants are in front of a computer screen, the facial expression coding works better when you place the camera below the computer screen instead of on top of the screen (i.e., record slightly from below instead of from above).

2. Record the entire face

To make sure participants’ entire face is visible on the video (see also Loijens’ tips 1 and 2), establish an optimal seating distance to the camera that allows you to record participants with different heights from top to chin. We use stickers on the floor to indicate the optimal position of the chair and ask participants to stay seated against the back of the chair throughout the study.

3. Avoid participants looking down

You want to avoid that participants look down to check the computer keyboard as this may result in coding errors. Where possible, use response keys that are easy to use (e.g., colored stickers on keyboard keys where participants can keep their fingers on without looking down). In addition, it helps to do some practice trials to familiarize participants with the way they are supposed to respond.

4. Make recordings comparable between participants and conditions

To be able to compare expression between participants or conditions, it is often useful that videos are equally long for different participants. To this end, we program critical elements of the study to proceed automatically instead of allowing participants to self-pace. With the use of event markers, it is possible to identify the critical moments in the data or, if necessary, cut the videos from there.

5. Make the study engaging

The lab is typically not a very natural or social environment (see also Loijens’ tip 3). This may lower the chance that participants show intense expressions. A way to address this is to make studies as engaging as possible. Use, for instance, self-relevant stimulus material or, if possible, create a social interaction (e.g., with a webcam).








FREE WHITE PAPER: FaceReader methodology

Download the free FaceReader methodology note to learn more about facial expression analysis theory.

  • How FaceReader works
  • More about the calibration
  • Insight in quality of analysis & output

Want to read more about using FaceReader in the lab or in your research?

Related Posts

8 reasons why FaceReader is better than OpenFace
17 Feb human behavior research Emotion

8 reasons why FaceReader is better than OpenFace

In this blog post, we’ll break down why FaceReader outperforms OpenFace. We’ll focus on key aspects like accuracy, ease of use, and security—making sure you get reliable results without the hassle.
Entrepreneurs’ facial expressions & emotional contagion during investor pitches
02 Sep human behavior research Emotion

Entrepreneurs’ facial expressions & emotional contagion during investor pitches

What is the influence of emotions in a decision-making process? Dinkla and Liebregts wondered if displaying joy and emotional mimicry play a role during pitches.
Galvanic skin response, heart rate variability and more behavior on the inside
15 May human behavior research Emotion

Galvanic skin response, heart rate variability and more behavior on the inside

When it comes to measuring our emotional responses to food items, medical treatment, or works of art, our behavior does not always paint the whole picture.