Influence of mask color on facial expression recognition in Japanese adults and preschoolers

This study investigated how mask color affects the perception of facial expressions in Japanese adults and preschoolers. In Experiment 1, Japanese adults rated the intensity of neutral, happy, and sad expressions displayed by men and women wearing white, black, pink, or blue masks and no masks, using a visual analog scale. Experiment 2 focused on preschoolers, employing the same scale to evaluate emotional intensity in response to happy and sad expressions displayed by men and women wearing white, black, or pink masks or no masks. Experiment 1 revealed that pink masks increased perceptions of happiness and decreased perceptions of sadness for neutral female expressions and sad male and female expressions. Masks in colors other than black reduced the perception of happiness compared to no mask. Experiment 2 showed no significant differences in emotional perception among preschoolers based on the mask's presence or color. These findings suggest that mask color affects emotion recognition in adults, particularly in diminishing the perception of happiness, regardless of color. Although Japanese individuals typically emphasize the eyes in facial recognition, this study highlights the importance of mask color in emotion interpretation.