Constructionist Steps Towards an Autonomously Empathetic System

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel empathetic system that predicts human emotions based on scientific understanding that emotions are mental constructs, using user-dependent analysis and contextual data for improved accuracy.

Contribution

It introduces a scientifically grounded, context-aware approach to emotion prediction that moves beyond outdated models and assumptions.

Findings

System achieves higher accuracy with context-aware analysis

Relies on scientifically validated emotion models

Prohibits drawing inaccurate conclusions

Abstract

Prior efforts to create an autonomous computer system capable of predicting what a human being is thinking or feeling from facial expression data have been largely based on outdated, inaccurate models of how emotions work that rely on many scientifically questionable assumptions. In our research, we are creating an empathetic system that incorporates the latest provable scientific understanding of emotions: that they are constructs of the human mind, rather than universal expressions of distinct internal states. Thus, our system uses a user-dependent method of analysis and relies heavily on contextual information to make predictions about what subjects are experiencing. Our system's accuracy and therefore usefulness are built on provable ground truths that prohibit the drawing of inaccurate conclusions that other systems could too easily make.