Neuromuscular circuits in affect-laden information processing.

Substantial evidence has accrued indicating the involvement of neuromuscular circuits in covert information processing. The physiological systems imparting emotional tone to covert processing, however, are less well understood. Reviewed here are findings from a variety of methodologies which suggest that somatic patterns, particularly in the face, reflect moment by moment emotional reactions. These findings imply neuromuscular involvement in affect-laden information processing; less conclusive, though suggestive, are data indicating that the proprioceptive feedback from these phasic and specific patterns of response are integrated cortically and influence covert processing and overt responding.