Examples of films that are used to induce specific emotions. Each one has been extensively studied to ensure that they elicit that emotion in most people. 

Examples of Films Used to Induce Emotions

The Kuleshov Effect, devised by Soviet filmmaker Lev Kuleshov in the early 20th century, is an editing effect which attempts to create narrative meaning and emotional resonance by cutting between two sequential shots. To locate how a viewer creates meaning within a cut, Kuleshov paired an image of an expressionless man with three different sequential images: a bowl of food, a casket containing a child’s body, and a woman laying on a couch. Depending on the sequential shot, the man’s stare, despite being the same image, would be perceived by audiences as hunger, grief, and lust respectively. This effect would prove influential in editing processes, becoming the standard of creating emotion and meaning through a simple cut. A demonstrative video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gGl3LJ7vHc 

Kuleshov Effect

Films can be a way to induce emotions in participants. Experimenters show the participants film segments that are known to elicit particular emotions and reactions in most people.

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- Affective Images 
- Recall of Emotional Memories
- Films
- Music
- Scripted Social Interactions
- Naturally Occurring Emotions

Manipulating Emotions

Niedenthal, P. M., & Ric, F. (2017). Psychology of Emotion (2nd ed.). Psychology Press.

Psychology of Emotion

When researchers want to elicit brief emotional reactions, researchers can show participants various pictures that are expected to make participants feel a certain way.

Affective Images 

This method of inducing emotion requires participants to think of events they experienced in the past as a way to bring about those emotions again.

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