Dr Sebastian Korb
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Email
sebastian.korb@essex.ac.uk -
Telephone
+44 (0) 1206 873929
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Location
1.702, Colchester Campus
Profile
Biography
I am an experimental psychologist and social neuroscientist who has worked and lived in several countries, including France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the USA, Italy, and Austria. I have joined the Department of Psychology at the 糖心Vlog in 2020. My research interests are the perception and expression of emotion, mainly in the face, from an embodied cognition point of view. I am also interested in the neural bases of reward, especially social rewards and music. At the moment I mainly use these techniques: facial electromyography (EMG), facial neuromuscular electrical stimulation (fNMES), and electroencephalography (EEG). But I also conduct studies measuring only behavioural responses, e.g. emotion categorisation of faces.
Qualifications
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PhD University of Geneva, (2010)
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MSc Utrecht University, (2006)
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BSc University of Strasbourg, (2004)
Appointments
糖心Vlog
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Senior Lecturer, Psychology, 糖心Vlog (1/10/2023 - present)
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Lecturer, Psychology, 糖心Vlog (1/1/2020 - 30/9/2023)
Other academic
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Postdoc, Psychology, University of Vienna (16/9/2016 - 31/12/2019)
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Postdoc, Neuroscience, International School for Advanced Studies (1/9/2014 - 15/9/2016)
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Research Associate, Psychology, University of Wisconsin鈥揗adison (1/4/2014 - 30/6/2014)
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Postdoc, Psychology, University of Wisconsin鈥揗adison (1/4/2012 - 31/3/2014)
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Postdoc, Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva (1/1/2011 - 31/3/2012)
Research and professional activities
Research interests
Embodiment in facial emotion recognition
I am particularly interested in understanding how proprioceptive information about our own body (e.g. facial feedback) is generated and how it contributes to processing, recognition, and awareness of emotions in others (e.g. facial expressions). When focusing on the face, this line of research requires understanding the psychological processes and neural substrates underlying the perception and production of facial expressions, as well as visuo-proprioceptive multisensory integration.
Teaching and supervision
Current teaching responsibilities
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Experiencing Emotion (PS103)
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The Neuroscience of Human Nature (PS495)
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Special Topics in Individual Differences and Developmental Psychology (PS938)
Current supervision
Previous supervision
Degree subject: Psychology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 25/1/2024
Publications
Publications (10)
Baker, J., Van der Donck, S., Boets, B. and Korb, S., (2025). Increasing perceived happiness in neutral faces by posing a smile: an EEG frequency-tagging study
Baker, J., Ngo, H-VV., Efthimiou, TN., Elsenaar, A., Mehu, M. and Korb, S., (2025). The face says it all: electrical stimulation of smiling muscles reduces visual processing load and enhances happiness perception in neutral faces
Rocha, M., Grave, J., Korb, S., Parma, V., Semin, GR. and Soares, S., (2023). Emotional self-body odours do not influence the access to visual awareness by emotional faces
Baker, J., Efthimiou, TN., Scherer, R., Gartus, A., Elsenaar, A., Mehu, M. and Korb, S., (2023). Measurement of the N170 during facial neuromuscular electrical stimulation (fNMES)
Massaccesi, C., Korb, S., G枚tzendorfer, S., Chiappini, E., Willeit, M., Lundstr枚m, JN., Windischberger, C., Eisenegger, C. and Silani, G., (2023). Effects of dopamine and opioid receptor antagonism on the neural processing of social and non-social rewards
Efthimiou, TN., Baker, J., Clarke, ADF., Elsenaar, A., Mehu, M. and Korb, S., (2023). Zygomaticus activation through facial neuromuscular electric stimulation (fNMES) induces happiness perception in ambiguous facial expressions and affects neural correlates of face processing
Efthimiou, TN., Baker, J., Elsenaar, A., Mehu, M. and Korb, S., (2023). Smiling and frowning induced by facial neuromuscular electrical stimulation (fNMES) modulate felt emotion and physiology
Efthimiou, TN., Perusqu铆a-Hern谩ndez, M., Elsenaar, A., Mehu, M. and Korb, S., (2022). Application of facial Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (fNMES) in psychophysiological research 鈥� practical recommendations based on a systematic review of the literature
Efthimiou, T., Perusquia-Hernandez, M., Mehu, M., Elsenaar, A. and Korb, S., (2022). Application of facial Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (fNMES) in psychophysiological research 鈥� systematic review and practical recommendations
Grave, J., Cordeiro, S., De S谩 Teixeira, NA., Korb, S. and Soares, SC., (2022). Emotional anticipation for dynamic emotional faces is not modulated by schizotypal traits: A Representational Momentum study
Journal articles (46)
Baker, J., Van der Donck, S., Boets, B. and Korb, S., (2025). Increasing perceived happiness in neutral faces by posing a smile: an EEG frequency-tagging study. Emotion
Rocha, M., Grave, J., Korb, S., Parma, V., Semin, GR. and Soares, SC., (2024). . Chemical Senses. 49, bjad034-
Efthimiou, TN., Baker, J., Clarke, A., Elsenaar, A., Mehu, M. and Korb, S., (2024). . Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience. 19 (1), nsae013-
Grave, J., Cordeiro, S., de S谩 Teixeira, N., Korb, S. and Soares, SC., (2024). Emotional anticipation for dynamic emotional faces is not modulated by schizotypal traits: A Representational Momentum study. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 17470218241253703-
Chiappini, E., Massaccesi, C., Korb, S., Steyrl, D., Willeit, M. and Silani, G., (2024). Neural Hyperresponsivity During the Anticipation of Tangible Social and Nonsocial Rewards in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Concurrent Neuroimaging and Facial Electromyography Study. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging. 9 (9), 948-957
Vilaverde, RF., Horchak, OV., Pinheiro, AP., Scott, SK., Korb, S. and Lima, CF., (2024). . Emotion. 24 (6), 1376-1385
Stijovich, A., Siegel, M., Kocan, AU., Bojkovska, I., Korb, S. and Silani, G., (2024). . Psychological Bulletin. 150 (12), 1472-1509
Massaccesi, C., Korb, S., G枚tzendorfer, S., Chiappini, E., Willeit, M., Lundstr枚m, JN., Windischberger, C., Eisenegger, C. and Silani, G., (2024). . Human Brain Mapping. 45 (4), e26645-
Efthimiou, T., Korb, S., Baker, J., Elsenaar, A. and Mehu, M., (2024). . Emotion. 25 (1), 79-92
Baker, J., Efthimiou, T., Gartus, A., Elsenaar, A., Mehu, M. and Korb, S., (2024). . Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 411, 110266-110266
Korb, S., Clarke, A., Massaccesi, C., Willeit, M. and Silani, G., (2023). . Psychopharmacology. 240 (10), 2081-2091
Baker, J., Efthimiou, T., Scherer, R., Gartus, A., Elsenaar, A., Mehu, M. and Korb, S., (2023). . Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 393, 109877-109877
Efthimiou, TN., Hernandez, MP., Elsenaar, A., Mehu, M. and Korb, S., (2023). . Behavior Research Methods. 56 (4), 2941-2976
Korb, S., Deniz, TC., 脺nal, B., Clarke, A. and Silani, G., (2022). . Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. 75 (5), 796-807
Chiappini, E., Silani, G. and Korb, S., (2022). . Bio-protocol. 12 (4), e4325-
Efthimiou, TN., Hanel, PHP. and Korb, S., (2022). . BMC Psychology. 10 (1), 117-
Korb, S., Mikus, N., Massaccesi, C., Grey, J., Duggirala, SX., Kotz, SA. and Mehu, M., (2022). . Emotion. 23 (2), 569-588
Massaccesi, C., Korb, S., Willeit, M., Quednow, BB. and Silani, G., (2022). . Psychoneuroendocrinology. 142, 105801-105801
Conway, LG., Woodard, SR., Zubrod, A., Tiburcio, M., Mart铆nez-V茅lez, NA., Sorgente, A., Lanz, M., Serido, J., Vosylis, R., Fonseca, G., Lep, 沤., Li, L., Zupan膷i膷, M., Crespo, C., Relvas, AP., Papageorgiou, KA., Gianniou, F-M., Truhan, T., Mojtahedi, D., Hull, S., Lilley, C., Canning, D., Uluk枚k, E., Ak谋n, A., Massaccesi, C., Chiappini, E., Paracampo, R., Korb, S., Szaflarski, M., Tour茅, AA., Camara, LM., Magassouba, AS., Doumbouya, A., Mutlu, M., Bozkurt, ZN., Grotkowski, K., Przepi贸rka, AM., Corral-Fr铆as, NS., Watson, D., Corona Espinosa, A., Lucas, MY., Paleari, FG., Tchalova, K., Gregory, AJP., Azrieli, T., Bartz, JA., Farmer, H., Goldberg, SB., Rosenkranz, MA., Pickett, J., Mackelprang, JL., Graves, JM., Orr, C. and Balmores-Paulino, R., (2022). . Frontiers in Psychology. 13, 937211-
Mikus, N., Korb, S., Massaccesi, C., Gausterer, C., Graf, I., Willeit, M., Eisenegger, C., Lamm, C., Silani, G. and Mathys, C., (2022). . eLife. 11, e79661-
Massaccesi, C., Korb, S., Skoluda, N., Nater, UM. and Silani, G., (2021). . Neuroscience. 464, 12-25
Forbes, PAG., Korb, S., Radloff, A. and Lamm, C., (2021). . Acta Psychologica. 212, 103193-103193
Grave, J., Madeira, N., Martins, MJ., Silva, S., Korb, S. and Soares, SC., (2021). . Consciousness and Cognition. 93, 103165-103165
Massaccesi, C., Chiappini, E., Paracampo, R. and Korb, S., (2021). . Frontiers in Psychology. 12, 689162-
Korb, S., G枚tzendorfer, SJ., Massaccesi, C., Sezen, P., Graf, I., Willeit, M., Eisenegger, C. and Silani, G., (2020). . eLife. 9, 1-22
Korb, S. and Massaccesi, C., (2020). Angry men and happy women 鈥� A pre-registered replication using psychophysics
Korb, S., Massaccesi, C., Gartus, A., Lundstr枚m, JN., Rumiati, R., Eisenegger, C. and Silani, G., (2020). Facial responses of adult humans during the anticipation and consumption of touch and food rewards.. Cognition. 194, 104044-104044
Silva, F., Gomes, N., Korb, S. and Semin, GR., (2020). Not All Emotions Are Equal: Fear Chemosignals Lower Awareness Thresholds Only for Fearful Faces. Chemical Senses. 45 (7), 601-608
Osimo, SA., Korb, S. and Aiello, M., (2019). Obesity, subliminal perception and inhibition: Neuromodulation of the prefrontal cortex. Behaviour Research and Therapy. 119, 103408-103408
Korb, S., Goldman, R., Davidson, RJ. and Niedenthal, PM., (2019). Increased Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Decreased Zygomaticus Activation in Response to Disliked Smiles Suggest Top-Down Inhibition of Facial Mimicry. Frontiers in Psychology. 10 (JULY), 1715-
Cecchetto, C., Korb, S., Rumiati, RI. and Aiello, M., (2018). Emotional reactions in moral decision-making are influenced by empathy and alexithymia. Social Neuroscience. 13 (2), 226-240
Korb, S., Osimo, SA., Suran, T., Goldstein, A. and Rumiati, RI., (2017). Face proprioception does not modulate access to visual awareness of emotional faces in a continuous flash suppression paradigm. Consciousness and Cognition. 51, 166-180
Korb, S., Wood, A., Rychlowska, M. and Niedenthal, P., (2016). The Perils of Boxes and Arrows: Reply to Gallese and Caruana. Trends in Cognitive Sciences. 20 (6), 398-399
Wagenmakers, E-J., Beek, T., Dijkhoff, L., Gronau, QF., Acosta, A., Adams, RB., Albohn, DN., Allard, ES., Benning, SD., Blouin-Hudon, E-M., Bulnes, LC., Caldwell, TL., Calin-Jageman, RJ., Capaldi, CA., Carfagno, NS., Chasten, KT., Cleeremans, A., Connell, L., DeCicco, JM., Dijkstra, K., Fischer, AH., Foroni, F., Hess, U., Holmes, KJ., Jones, JLH., Klein, O., Koch, C., Korb, S., Lewinski, P., Liao, JD., Lund, S., Lupianez, J., Lynott, D., Nance, CN., Oosterwijk, S., Ozdo臒ru, AA., Pacheco-Unguetti, AP., Pearson, B., Powis, C., Riding, S., Roberts, T-A., Rumiati, RI., Senden, M., Shea-Shumsky, NB., Sobocko, K., Soto, JA., Steiner, TG., Talarico, JM., van Allen, ZM., Vandekerckhove, M., Wainwright, B., Wayand, JF., Zeelenberg, R., Zetzer, EE. and Zwaan, RA., (2016). Registered Replication Report. Perspectives on Psychological Science. 11 (6), 917-928
Korb, S., Wood, A., Banks, CA., Agoulnik, D., Hadlock, TA. and Niedenthal, PM., (2016). Asymmetry of Facial Mimicry and Emotion Perception in Patients With Unilateral Facial Paralysis. JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery. 18 (3), 222-227
Wood, A., Rychlowska, M., Korb, S. and Niedenthal, P., (2016). Fashioning the Face: Sensorimotor Simulation Contributes to Facial Expression Recognition. Trends in Cognitive Sciences. 20 (3), 227-240
Korb, S., Malsert, J., Strathearn, L., Vuilleumier, P. and Niedenthal, P., (2016). . Hormones and Behaviour. 84, 64-74
Neufeld, J., Ioannou, C., Korb, S., Schilbach, L. and Chakrabarti, B., (2016). . Autism Research. 9 (7), 781-789
Korb, S., Fr眉hholz, S. and Grandjean, D., (2015). Reappraising the voices of wrath. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience. 10 (12), 1644-1660
Korb, S., Malsert, J., Rochas, V., Rihs, TA., Rieger, SW., Schwab, S., Niedenthal, PM. and Grandjean, D., (2015). Gender differences in the neural network of facial mimicry of smiles 鈥� An rTMS study. Cortex. 70, 101-114
Korb, S., With, S., Niedenthal, P., Kaiser, S. and Grandjean, D., (2014). The Perception and Mimicry of Facial Movements Predict Judgments of Smile Authenticity. PLoS ONE. 9 (6), e99194-e99194
Rychlowska, M., Korb, S., Brauer, M., Droit-Volet, S., Augustinova, M., Zinner, L. and Niedenthal, PM., (2014). Pacifiers Disrupt Adults鈥� Responses to Infants鈥� Emotions. Basic and Applied Social Psychology. 36 (4), 299-308
Carr, EW., Korb, S., Niedenthal, PM. and Winkielman, P., (2014). The two sides of spontaneity: Movement onset asymmetries in facial expressions influence social judgments. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 55, 31-36
Korb, S., Grandjean, D., Samson, AC., Delplanque, S. and Scherer, KR., (2012). Stop laughing! Humor perception with and without expressive suppression. Social Neuroscience. 7 (5), 510-524
Korb, S., Grandjean, D. and Scherer, KR., (2010). Timing and voluntary suppression of facial mimicry to smiling faces in a Go/NoGo task鈥擜n EMG study. Biological Psychology. 85 (2), 347-349
Korb, S., Grandjean, D. and Scherer, K., (2008). Motor Commands of Facial Expressions: The Bereitschaftspotential of Posed Smiles. Brain Topography. 20 (4), 232-238
Book chapters (2)
Chiappini, E., Silani, G., Lundstr枚m, JN. and Korb, S., (2023). Facial Electromyography in Food Research in a Behavioral and MR Setting. In: Basic Protocols on Emotions, Senses, and Foods. Springer. 185- 201. 1071629336. 9781071629338
Niedenthal, PM., Korb, S., Wood, A. and Rychlowska, M., (2016). Revisiting the Simulation of Smiles model: the what, when, and why of mimicking smiles. In: Emotional Mimicry in Social Context. Cambridge University Press. 44- 71. 9781107064478
Conferences (6)
Baker, J., Efthimiou, T., Scherer, R., Gartus, A., Elsenaar, A., Mehu, M. and Korb, S., (2023). Observing evoked brain potentials during facial neuromuscular electrical stimulation
Efthimiou, T., Baker, J., Elsenaar, A., Mehu, M. and Korb, S., (2023). Induced happiness perception in ambiguous facial expressions 鈥� a functional neuromuscular electric stimulation (fNMES) and EEG study
Grave, J., Martins, MJ., Madeira, N., Santos, T., Silva, S., Korb, S., Coroa, M. and Soares, S., (2018). Conscious detection of facial expressions in schizophrenia: A Preliminary study using the breaking-continuous flash suppression technique
Korb, S., Massaccesi, C., Stepnicka, P., Al Banchaabouchi, M., Rumiati, R., Eisenegger, C. and Silani, G., (2017). SUBJECTIVE AND OBJECTIVE MEASURES OF WANTING AND LIKING OF FOOD AND SOCIAL REWARDS
Korb, S., Grandjean, D. and Scherer, K., (2008). Investigating the production of emotional facial expressions: a combined electroencephalographic (EEG) and electromyographic (EMG) approach
Korb, S., Grandjean, D. and Scherer, K., (2008). The neuromotor antecedents of emotion regulation in the face
Reports and Papers (3)
Korb, S., Mikus, N., Massaccesi, C., Grey, J., Duggirala, SX., Kotz, SA. and Mehu, M., (2022). EMOSEX 鈥� emotion prevails over sex during implicit judgment of faces
Efthimiou, TN., Hanel, PHP. and Korb, S., (2022). Volunteers鈥� concerns about facial neuromuscular electrical stimulation
Korb, S., G枚tzendorfer, SJ., Massaccesi, C., Sezen, P., Graf, I., Willeit, M., Eisenegger, C. and Silani, G., (2019). Dopaminergic and opioidergic regulation of implicit hedonic facial reactions during anticipation and consumption of social and nonsocial rewards
Grants and funding
2019
Neuromuscular electric stimulation and social cognition
FWF Austrian Science Fund (Der Wissenschaftsfonds FWF)
