How is emotion represented in the brain: is it categorical or along dimensions? In
the present study, we applied multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) to magnetoencephalography
(MEG) to study the brain's temporally unfolding representations of different emotion
constructs. First, participants rated 525 images on the dimensions of valence and
arousal and by intensity of discrete emotion categories (happiness, sadness, fear,
disgust, and sadness). Thirteen new participants then viewed subsets of these images
within an MEG scanner. We used Representational Similarity Analysis (RSA) to compare
behavioral ratings to the unfolding neural representation of the stimuli in the brain.
Ratings of valence and arousal explained significant proportions of the MEG data,
even after corrections for low-level image properties. Additionally, behavioral ratings
of the discrete emotions fear, disgust, and happiness significantly predicted early
neural representations, whereas rating models of anger and sadness did not. Different
emotion constructs also showed unique temporal signatures. Fear and disgust - both
highly arousing and negative - were rapidly discriminated by the brain, but disgust
was represented for an extended period of time relative to fear. Overall, our findings
suggest that 1) dimensions of valence and arousal are quickly represented by the brain,
as are some discrete emotions, and 2) different emotion constructs exhibit unique
temporal dynamics. We discuss implications of these findings for theoretical understanding
of emotion and for the interplay of discrete and dimensional aspects of emotional
experience.