To use the app, you must have an iPhone that is on iOS version 17.0+. You can still participate without access to an iPhone, but you must be a part of the control group that does not use the app.

 

You can participate as a neurotypical person or as a neurodivergent person. Please note that although this will not make a difference to your participation in the study, the data from this study will be analyzed accordingly so FILL OUT THE FORM HONESTLY. Neurodivergence is entirely self reported.

 

The structure of the study is as follows:

1. Take a digital assessment that tests your ability to recognize facial expressions (56 MCQs, 7 questions where you must upload a picture of yourself portraying a prompted emotion)

2. Practice with the app for 7 weeks (according to the time commitment level you choose)

3. Take the assessment again

​

If you participate in this study, you will be asked to use emoTune, which is designed to help people practice their portrayal of facial expressions. To use it, you first select an emotion to practice portraying. emoTune covers seven emotions: neutrality, happiness, sadness, surprise, fear, disgust, and anger. Next, you upload a picture of your face (this picture will not be recorded in any way by the app or the researchers). The facial expression in this picture will then be analyzed. Lastly, a chatbot gives you personalized feedback on how you can adjust your facial expression to match the emotion you want to portray. Note that, should you decide to participate, you will get a tutorial that goes more in-depth. 

​

There are four different levels of time commitment that you can choose. One day of practice implies 10 minutes of emoTune usage in one day, and you can choose to practice for 0, 1, 2, or 7 days a week. This means that every day you practice, you must hit your time goal of 10 minutes in emoTune. If you don't care which option you choose or are stuck between two, please choose the option with the most required practice time. The app will automatically document the time you spend using it, but you must email me a screenshot of this at the end of the study (should you choose to participate).

There will be roughly 100 other participants involved in this study.

Filling out this form does not imply your consent to participate in the study and you may exit the study for whatever reason at any time.

 

Thank you for your time.

​

If you are interested in participating, here is the link to fill out the interest form. Please fill this out BEFORE you download the participation forms below.