For decades researchers have used 2D stimuli under the assumption that they accurately represent real objects. This assumption has been challenged by recent vision and neuroeconomics research which has found that 2D images can evoke different neural and behavioural responses than real objects. The current study continues this line of research in the field of affective cognitive neuroscience; a field where small effect sizes are common and rapid habituation to affective stimuli used in the lab often occurs. The present study uses realistic 2D and 3D emotional images to determine the impact of visual dimension on affective responding. Subjective ratings revealed a perceptual advantage for 3D images which were rated more realistic and received some higher ratings of emotion than 2D images. Conversely, there were no differences in psychophysiological responding (i.e. skin conductance and electromyography) between 2D and 3D images. The implications of these results and future directions are discussed
