What the study found
The study provides normative ratings for the Magic Curiosity Arousing Tricks (MagicCATs) video dataset in an Italian sample. It reports ratings for clarity, curiosity, interest, surprise, and confidence in solving the trick from 654 adults aged 18 to 86.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say the dataset offers a standardized tool for studying epistemic emotions, which are emotions such as curiosity, interest, and surprise that support learning and knowledge acquisition. They conclude that placing MagicCATs in an Italian context supports the simultaneous assessment of these emotions across a broad adult age range.
What the researchers tested
The researchers used 166 magic trick video clips from the MagicCATs dataset. Participants evaluated the clips using both binary and Likert scales, and the study included data screening to improve integrity and reliability.
What worked and what didn't
The abstract says the dataset has ecological validity, dynamic stimuli, and the ability to elicit multiple epistemic emotions, which the authors present as advantages over traditional methods. It also reports that the study generated normative ratings in Italy, but it does not provide detailed item-level outcomes in the abstract.
What to keep in mind
The available summary does not describe specific limitations or compare the Italian ratings with ratings from other countries. The abstract also does not give detailed numerical results for each emotion rating.
Key points
- Normative ratings were collected for 166 MagicCATs magic trick videos in Italy.
- The sample included 654 adults ages 18 to 86.
- Participants rated clarity, curiosity, interest, surprise, and confidence in solving the trick.
- The authors describe MagicCATs as a standardized tool for studying epistemic emotions.
- The abstract does not report detailed item-level results or limitations.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Italian ratings support a magic-trick emotion dataset
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-03
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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