Emotional Picture Face Database
Warsaw Set of Emotional Facial Expression Pictures (WSEFEP) contains 210 of high-quality pictures of 30 individuals. They display six basic emotions (enjoyment, fear, disgust, anger, sadness, surprise) and neutral display. The pictures were carefully selected to fit criteria of basic emotions and then evaluated by independent judges. Each one has own measurement of intensity and purity of displayed emotions as well as FACS Action Units codes.
The set is widely recognized by the scientific community and frequently used as research material - click here to see a list o publication that refers to WSEFEP.
Here’s the short story of how the set was created:
- We chose 100 people from over 1000 actors/actress (amateur and professionals), models and students - that submitted their access to actors agency. Each one of them works with us during a one-hour individual photo session. Then we chose 65 people who shown best ability to express emotions and control their facial muscles.
- We gave them home exercises to develop their emotional expression skills and then we worked again with them during two hours individual photo session. After conduction the main sessions we evaluated photos of each participant and selected the best pictures (up to 5 for each expression), that fit the criteria of basic emotions’ expression, according to FACS (Ekman, Friesen & Hager, 2002).
- Then we validated selected pictures and here you are…we give you a full set of 210 photos (14 men and 16 women) of each basic emotion: joy, surprise, fear, sadness, anger, and disgust.
Here you can find a detailed description of how the set was created and validated.
Download
The database is available for download through the OSF: https://osf.io/7xgz9
By downloading any of the database materials you agree to the terms of use
Terms of use:
The database photographs and their accompanying information may be used free of charge for non-commercial scientific research purposes only.
The database materials shall not be re-distributed or published without written consent from the copyright holder, the SWPS University, Center for Research on Biological Basis of Social Behavior.
No attempts may be made to identify or contact the individuals depicted in the database.
Use of the database materials must be acknowledged in all published work.
FAQ
What is WSEFEP?
It’s Warsaw Set of Emotional Facial Expression Pictures – a set of 210 photos (14 men and 16 women) of each basic emotion: enjoyment, surprise, fear, sadness, anger, and disgust (and pictures of neutral faces).
Who can use WSEFEP?
WSEFEP is free for scientific/academic employees to use it in the non-commercial research or for educational purpose. Business use (including commercial training/education) of our set requires an individual permission.
Why using WSEFEP is limited for scientific users?
One of our main goals for creating database was to make valuable, high-quality research tool (no more, no less). Limited accessibility makes us sure that pictures won’t be published or distributed inappropriately.
How can I download the set?
You have to fill in the request form and after the authentication, you will receive download code. Please note that registration is not automatic – it might take up to 3 or 4 day. By this time we will verify your data (e.g. check if you are listed as a university employee) and sometimes we will ask you for an extra information. Providing additional data in registration sheet – like university/personal web-page – will certainly make the registration time shorter.
Do I have to pay for downloading and using WSEFEP?
No! If you’re scientific researcher you can download and use the picture set free of charge.
I conducted the research using your facial stimuli. What should I refer to?
When publishing research data collected with use of our facial pictures database please make the following reference:
Olszanowski, M., Pochwatko, G., Kukliński, K., Ścibor-Rylski, M., Lewicki, P., Ohme, R. (2015). Warsaw set of emotional facial expression pictures: a validation study of facial display photographs. Frontiers in Psychology, 5:1516. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01516
Are you going to develop the set?
Yes, we plan to create more advanced versions – e.g. set of dynamic emotional display, containing the photos of the particular phases of each emotion or a sub set of the photos of indirect expressions (gaze not directed into the lens).
You must have spent hundreds of hours working on this set. Are you happy with a result?
Yes we’r very happy