A recent study conducted by Podimo partnering up with iMotions aimed to delve into the intricate emotional and physiological responses of listeners exposed to intense audio content. Focusing on a trailer for a podcast about Denmark’s underground fight scene, the research sought to understand how audiences process listening to violence.
The study’s primary objective was to capture the emotional and physiological reactions to the intense audio trailer. This included assessing the range of emotional facial responses (such as sadness, disgust, joy, or fear) and measuring emotional physiological arousal, an indicator of the fight-or-flight response triggered by the audio. Furthermore, the study aimed to examine how these implicit emotional and physiological responses aligned with explicitly stated reactions from listeners.
To achieve these objectives, the researchers sought to answer several key questions:
- How do listeners’ emotional facial responses vary when exposed to intense fight audio?
- To what extent does exposure to violent audio trigger physiological arousal, as measured by micro sweat.
- How are emotional responses correlated with physiological reactions during the listening experience, and how do they differ from a basal state?
- In which specific instances do listeners show the strongest emotional or physiological reactions to the audio trailer?
- What do listeners’ responses suggest about perceptions of fighters and the psychological parallels between observers and participants?
The study employed a multi-modal approach, collecting both physiological and self-reported data. Participants underwent a baseline measurement of their physiological activity, followed by a pre-exposure mood questionnaire. They then listened to the audio trailer while their physiological activity (GSR – Galvanic Skin Response, and FEA – Facial Expression Analysis) was recorded. Finally, participants completed a post-exposure survey to rate their mood and stress levels again.
Study findings: What drives podcast engagement
Initial findings from the study reveal a diverse range of listener reactions. Some participants showed only mild emotional arousal, comparable to their relaxed state, while others exhibited moderate to strong emotional responses, with some reaching very high arousal levels. The study also observed varied facial expressions, indicating a spectrum of emotions experienced by listeners, from fear and surprise to joy and anger.
The Podimo study provides valuable insights into the complex ways in which audiences engage with and react to violent audio content. By combining physiological data with self-reported experiences, the research sheds light on both the implicit and explicit emotional processing that occurs during such intense listening experiences. These findings can inform future content creation and audience understanding within the podcast industry, particularly for genres dealing with sensitive or intense themes.
