A 2 x 2 x 4 factorial design was utilized to investigate the effects of sex of perceiver, race of expressor (Negro and White), and mode of presentation of stimuli (audio and visual, visual only, audio only, and still pictures) on perception of emotion (POE). Perception of seven emotions (anger, happiness, surprise, fear, disgust, pain, and sadness) was analyzed in terms of three dependent variables: total accuracy scores, correct perception of individual emotion scores, and erroneous perception of individual emotion scores. Results indicate a main effect for sensory modality: emotions are most accurately perceived in audio and visual presentations, followed by visual only, audio only, and still picture presentations. Females were found to be superior to males in overall POE. Contradictory results were obtained on race of expressor: (a) Negroes were more accurately perceived in the expression of anger and sadness; (b) Whites were more accurately perceived in the expression of happiness and fear. (Author)