Member of the Multimodal Interaction Lab
Dr. Sergio Cervera Torres culminated his doctoral studies in 2017 at the Multimodal Interaction Lab of the IWM. Here, he delved into the intricate dynamics of Affective Spatialization within the sphere of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). His studies not only expanded the frontiers of HCI knowledge but also garnered the prestigious Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) grant in 2021, a testament to the scientific community's recognition of his scholarly significance.
Dr. Torres's pioneering work has given rise to the innovative Spatial Affective Interaction (SAI) framework. This paradigm-shifting model converges three pivotal discourses within cognitive and affective sciences: the modulatory role of spatial dimensions on affective appraisals, the engagement of action-goal representations amidst manual human-machine interplays, and the nuanced effects of hand proximity on the affective processing of digital objects.
During his research journey, Dr. Torres has had the distinct honor of partaking in research stays within the eHealth sector. He has significantly contributed to the design and analytical assessment of cutting-edge technologies, including mobile applications and immersive virtual reality environments. His work critically examines the intersection of biometric markers and emotional regulation, executive cognitive processes, and the spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Adriasola, A., Cervera Torres, S., Cañada, Y., Chicchi Giglioli, I. A., García-Blanco, A., Sierra, P., López-Cerveró, M., Blanes Rodríguez, C., Navalón, P., & Alcañiz Raya, M. (2024). Assessing executive functioning in schizophrenia: Concurrent and discriminative validity of a novel virtual cooking task. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 27, 571-581. https://dx.doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2023.0443
Cañada, Y., Cervera Torres, S., Andreu-Martínez, J., Beltrán Cristancho, D., Chicchi Giglioli, I. A., García-Blanco, A., Adriasola, A., Navalón, P., Sierra, P., & Alcañiz Raya, M. (2024). Characterization and assessment of executive functions through a virtual cooking task in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 178, 349-358. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.08.007
Open Access
Cervera Torres, S. (2024). Does digital grabbing boost affectivity in less empathic users? An interactive approach to affective laterality: Empathy, Hand dominance, and Action-Context shape pleasantness experience. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 17. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2024.100568
Open Access
Cervera Torres, S., Gracia Laso, D. I., Minissi, M. E., Maddalon, L., Chicchi Giglioli, I. A., & Alcañiz Raya, M. (2024). Social signal processing in affective virtual reality: Human-shaped agents increase electrodermal activity in an elicited negative environment. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 27, 268-274. https://dx.doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2023.0273
Sánchez-García, R., Dominguez-Rodriguez, A., Ocegueda-Miramontes, V., Aguilar, L., Rodríguez-Díaz, A., Cervera Torres, S., & Sanchez, M. A. (2024). Human behavioral anomaly pattern mining within an IoT environment: An exploratory study. Advances in Computers, 133, 33-57. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/bs.adcom.2023.10.003
request document
Yamada, Y., Xue, J., Li, P., Ruiz Fernández, S., Özdoğru, A. A., Sarı, Ş., Cervera Torres, S., Hinojosa, J. A., Montoro, P. R., AlShebli, B., Bolatov, A. K., McGeechan, G. J., Zloteanu, M., Razpurker-Apfeld, I., Samekin, A., Tal-Or, N., Tejada, J., Freitag, R., Khatin-Zadeh, O., Banaruee, H., Robin, N., Briseño-Sanchez, G., Barrera-Causil, C. J., & Marmolejo Ramos, F. (2024). Where the ‘bad’ and the ‘good’ go: A multi-lab direct replication report of Casasanto (2009, Experiment 1). Memory & Cognition. https://dx.doi.org/10.3758/s13421-024-01637-1
Open Access
Minissi, M. E., Gómez Zaragozá, L., Marín Morales, J., Mantovani, F., Sirera, M., Abad, L., Cervera Torres, S., Gómez-García, S., Chicchi Giglioli, I. A., & Alcañiz Raya, M. (2023). The whole-body motor skills of children with autism spectrum disorder taking goal-directed actions in virtual reality. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1140731. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1140731
Open Access
Ponce Aix, S., Núñez-Benjumea, F. J., Cervera Torres, S., Flores, A., Arnáiz, P., & Fernández-Luque, L. (2023). Data-driven personalized care in lung cancer: Scoping review and clinical recommendations on performance status and activity level of patients with lung cancer using wearable devices. JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics, 7, Article e2300016. https://dx.doi.org/10.1200/CCI.23.00016
Open Access
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Godbersen, H., Massó, L., Martínez-Rubio, D., Pintado-Cucarella, S., & Baños, R. M. (2021). Influence of resilience and optimism on distress and intention to self-isolate: Contrasting lower and higher COVID-19 illness risk samples from an extended health belief model. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, Article 662395. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.662395
Open Access
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., Riekert, M., & Gerjets, P. (2021). Altering emotions near the hand: Approach–avoidance swipe interactions modulate the perceived valence of emotional pictures. Emotion, 21(1), 220-225. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/emo0000651 [Data]
Open Access
Kastner, L., Umbach, N., Jusyte, A., Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Nommensen, S., & Gerjets, P. (2021). Designing visual-arts education programs for transfer effects: Development and experimental evaluation of (digital) drawing courses in the art museum designed to promote adolescents’ socio-emotional skills. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, Article 4031. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.603984 [Data]
Open Access
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., & Gerjets, P. (2020). Coding valence in touchscreen interactions: hand dominance and lateral movement influence valence appraisals of emotional pictures. Psychological Research, 84(1), 23-31. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00426-018-0971-1 [Data, Data1]
Open Access
Ruiz Fernández, S., Kastner, L., Cervera Torres, S., Müller, J., & Gerjets, P. (2019). Moved by emotions: Affective concepts representing personal life events induce freely performed steps in line with combined sagittal and lateral space-valence associations. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, Article 2787. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02787 [Data]
Open Access
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., & Gerjets, P. (2018). Valence-space associations in touchscreen interactions: Valence match between emotional pictures and their vertical touch location leads to pictures positive evaluation. PLOS ONE, 13(7): e0199972. https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0199972 [Data]
Open Access
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., & Gerjets, P. (2024). Positive-right and negative-left: Affective spatialization by digital “grab” interactions. In C. Stephanidis, M. Antona, S. Ntoa, S., & G. Salvendy (Eds.), HCI International 2024 Posters. HCII 2024. Communications in Computer and Information Science (2114, pp. 215-223). Springer. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-61932-8_26
Sánchez-García, R., Dominguez-Rodriguez, A., Ocegueda-Miramontes, V., Aguilar, L., Rodríguez-Díaz, A., Cervera-Torres, S., & Sanchez, M. A. (in press). Human behavioral anomaly pattern mining within an IoT environment: An exploratory study. In Hurson, A. (Ed.), Advances in Computers. Elsevier. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/bs.adcom.2023.10.003
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., & Gerjets, P. (2024, September 16). Affective spatialization in digital interactions: The role of empathy and hand dominance in modulating perceptions of pleasantness. 53. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychologie (DGPs) / 15. Kongress der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Psychologie (ÖGP). University of Vienna, Austria. https://dgps2024.univie.ac.at/home-news/ [Poster]
Cervera-Torres, S. (2023, November 14). New tendencies in psychology: The E-psychology. Invited talk at Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) Cottbus-Senftenberg. Cottbus. [Talk]
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., & Gerjets, P. (2023, July 11-13). Toward a model of embodied affective interaction: Integrating space-valence associations, action-context, and hand proximity attentional biases". Cypsy26: 26th Annual Cyberpsychology, Cybertherapy & Social Networking Conference. Paris, France. [Poster]
Cervera-Torres, S., Ruiz-Fernández, S., Godbersen, H., Massó, L., Martínez-Rubio, D., Pintado-Cucarella, S., & Baños, R. M. (2022, May 12-14). Influence of resilience and optimism on distress and intention to self-isolate: Contrasting lower and higher COVID-19 illness risk samples from an extended health belief model. 5th Conference of Positive Psychology. Bilbao, Spain. [Talk]
Ruiz-Fernández, S., Cervera-Torres, S., Decker, B., & Godbersen, H. (2022, May 12-14). The effect of dispositional optimism on temporal satisfaction with life before, during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. 5th Conference of Positive Psychology. Bilbao, Spain. [Talk]
Cervera-Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., Riekert, M., & Gerjets, P. (2019, April). Altering emotions near the hand: Approach-Avoidance swipe interactions modulate emotional images judgments. 61. Tagung experimentell arbeitender Psychologen (TeaP). London, UK. [Poster]
Ruiz Fernández, S., Rahona, J. J., Cervera-Torres, S., Lachmair, M., & Godbersen, H. (2019, April). The past is in the past but the future is bright: Associating positive affects with the future and negative affects with the past. 61. Tagung experimentell arbeitender Psychologen (TeaP). London, UK. [Poster]
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., & Gerjets, P. (2018, June). In touch with emotions: Direct hand interaction with emotional pictures in a touchscreen space influence their valence appraisal. 9th European Conference on Positive Psychology (ECPP). Budapest, Hungary. [Poster]
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., & Gerjets, P. (2018, September). Investigating recognition of emotional pictures with touchscreen interactions: A match between picture valence and its vertical touch location raises recognition confidence. 7th International Conference on Spatial Cognition (ICSC). Rom, Italy. [Talk]
Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., Rahona López, J. J., Cervera-Torres, S., & Gerjets, P. (2018, September). Moving non-affective pictures in the horizontal space on a touchscreen. Valence ratings depend on movement direction. 7th International Conference on Spatial Cognition (ICSC). Rom, Italy. [Talk]
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., & Gerjets, P. (2017, July). Touch and Move: Valence Judgements of Affective Pictures Are Influenced by Interactive Upward and Downward Arm Movements. 5th World Congress on Positive Psychology (WCPP 2017) of the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA). Montreal, Canada. [Poster]
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., & Gerjets, P. (2017, March). Multi-touch interactions influence the valence evaluation of emotional pictures. 59. Tagung experimentell arbeitender Psychologen (TeaP). Dresden. [Talk]
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., & Gerjets, P. (2017, June). Touching Emotions: Evaluation of Affective Pictures is influenced by Moving Direction. 22. Annual CyberPsychology, CyberTherapie & Social Networking Conference (CyPsy22). Birmingham, UK. [Talk]
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., & Gerjets, P. (2017, October). Emotion in the hand: A direct interaction with emotional pictures on a touchscreen influences their valence evaluation. 19th Herbstakademie: Embodied Aesthetics: Resonance in Perception, Expression and Therapy. Heidelberg. [Poster]
Lachmair, M., Ruiz Fernández, S., Cervera Torres, S., & Gerjets, P. (2017, November). Zooming Emotions: The Role of Action and Presence. Invited talk at the Interdisciplinary Workshop Virtual Reality Research: Active Self and Presence. Universität Potsdam. [Talk]
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., & Gerjets, P. (2016, October). Affective (Multi-) touch: Interaction gestures influence affective information processing. LEAD Retreat of the LEAD (Learning, Educational Achievement, and Life Course Development) Graduate School and Research Network. Blaubeuren. [Poster]
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., & Gerjets, P. (2016, April). Movement speed in a multi-touch environment moderates the valence judgments of emotional pictures. LEAD Retreat of the LEAD (Learning, Educational Achievement, and Life Course Development) Graduate School. Bad Urach. [Poster]
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., & Gerjets, P. (2016, March). Movement speed moderates valence evaluation of pictures in the horizontal dimension. 58. Tagung experimentell arbeitender Psychologen (TeaP). Heidelberg. [Poster]
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., & Gerjets, P. (2015, March). The effect of picture valence and movement direction on arm movement performance. 57. Tagung experimentell arbeitender Psychologen (TeaP). Hildesheim. [Poster]
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., & Gerjets, P. (2015, April). The effect of arm movement direction on valence and arousal judgment of emotional pictures. LEAD Retreat of the LEAD (Learning, Educational Achievement, and Life Course Development) Graduate School. Bad Urach. [Poster]
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., & Gerjets, P. (2015, March). The effect of arm movement direction on valence and arousal judgment of emotional pictures. 18. Herbstakademie: The Circularity of Mind and Body. Heidelberg. [Poster]
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., & Gerjets, P. (2015, October). Emotional gestures: Supporting emotional evaluation of affective pictures in a multi-touch environment. LEAD-Retreat (Learning, Educational Achievement, and Life Course Development) Graduate School. Blaubeuren. [Talk]
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., & Gerjets, P. (2014, October). Multi-touch gestures and affective evaluation of pictures. LEAD Graduate School-Retreat. Blaubeuren. [Poster]
Cervera-Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., Riekert, M., & Gerjets, P. (2021). Altering emotions near the hand: Approach–avoidance swipe interactions modulate the perceived valence of emotional pictures. https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.6825416.v1 [Publication]
Kastner, L., Umbach, N., Jusyte, A., Cervera-Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Nommensen, S., & Gerjets, P. (2021). Designing visual-arts education programs for transfer effects: Development and experimental evaluation of (digital) drawing courses in the art museum designed to promote adolescents’ socio-emotional skills. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.603984/full#supplementary-material [Publication]
Cervera Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., & Gerjets, P. (2020). Coding valence in touchscreen interactions: hand dominance and lateral movement influence valence appraisals of emotional pictures. https://figshare.com/s/b6c4e44d57b0b59204bc [Publication]
Ruiz Fernández, S., Kastner, L., Cervera-Torres, S., Müller, J., & Gerjets, P. (2019). Moved by emotions: Affective concepts representing personal life events induce freely performed steps in line with combined sagittal and lateral space-valence associations. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02787/full#supplementary-material [Publication]
Cervera-Torres, S., Ruiz Fernández, S., Lachmair, M., & Gerjets, P. (2018). Valence-space associations in touchscreen interactions: Valence match between emotional pictures and their vertical touch location leads to pictures positive evaluation. https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.6066536.v1 [Publication]
Dr. Sergio Cervera Torres
Schleichstraße 6
