Tracing a digital shadow

Psychologist Verena Zimmermann joins computer scientists Joachim Buhmann and Elgar Fleisch to discuss whether our feelings can be measured, what role they play in human-machine interactions, and the use of smart technologies. Mr Buhmann, will computers soon have their own emotions? Joachim Buhmann: Emotions drive human behaviour. If algorithms learn to behave like humans, then they can also imitate the emotional component of that behaviour. But whether a computer could then be said to have emotions is arguably more of a philosophical question! Ms Zimmerman, how exactly do psychologists define emotions? Verena Zimmermann: Emotions are so complex that not even psychology can come up with a clear definition. But there are certain aspects that many of the definitions agree on, namely that emotions are triggered by a particular situation and are experienced intensely, that they are relatively short-lived, and that they always involve a physiological reaction such as rapid breathing or a quickened heartbeat. Basic emotions such as anger, happiness or sadness are easy to distinguish from one another, and many people exhibit them in similar ways. But feelings such as resignation or unease can be much harder to identify and consequently are harder to measure accurately.