Emotional influences on locomotor behavior

Emotional responses to appetitive and aversive stimuli motivate approach and avoidance behaviors essential for survival. The purpose of the current study was to determine the impact of specific emotional stimuli on forward, approach-oriented locomotion. Steady state walking was assessed while participants walked toward pictures varying in emotional content (erotic, happy people, attack, mutilation, contamination, and neutral). Step length and step velocity were calculated for the first two steps following picture onset. Exposure to the mutilation and contamination pictures shortened the lengths of step one and step two compared to the erotic pictures. Additionally, step velocity was greater during exposure to the erotic pictures compared to (1) the contamination and mutilation pictures for step one and (2) all other picture categories for step two. These findings suggest that locomotion is facilitated when walking toward approach-oriented emotional stimuli but compromised when walking toward aversive emotional stimuli. The data extend our understanding of fundamental interactions among motivational orientations, emotional reactions, and resultant actions. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.