Facial Expressions of Emotion
Facial expressions of emotion
Faces identify us as unique beings. The interest for researching the face and finding out what we can say by just observing it, was present since ancient times. Yet, an extensive research of facial expressions was made by the psychologist Paul Ekman in the 70’. He catalogued all the human facial expressions, using a numbering system for each group of muscles involved in producing a facial expression. He found that certain emotions are always accompanied with certain facial expressions.
So, which emotions can be expressed on the face? For now, there are still debates regarding the specific emotions that can be expressed, but it has been proved that six emotions can be universally recognized in facial expressions: surprise, fear, disgust, anger, joy and sadness.
As I have said, Paul Ekman was the first to systematically research facial expressions and the emotions they express, but artists – especially those in the visual arts – were certainly the first to know how to reproduce, in their works, the emotions that can be seen on people’s faces.
Next, we will discuss the six universal emotions, illustrating them with photos taken in the studio and with images from famous paintings.
Facial expression of surprise
Among all emotions, surprise lasts least amount of time. It happens when something unexpected occurs. Its role is to stop from what we are doing and to redirect our resources toward the stimulus who triggered the surprise. Surprise is neutral (neither negative, nor positive) and usually is followed by other emotion (fear, joy).
1.1 – Typical facial expression of surprise
1.2 – Painting showing facial expression of surprise (Joos Van Craesbeeck – A surprised man)
Facial expression of fear
Fear is a reaction against a stimulus which has threatened us physically or/and psychologically. Threatening does not have to be always present, it can be anticipated too. For instance, if we are presuming that we have an examination to pass, but we haven’t learned for, we can live the fear by only anticipating of a bad grade.
Unlike surprise, fear is a negative emotion and can last indefinitely. For this reason is considered the most toxic emotion.
2.1 – Typical facial expression of fear
2.2 – Painting showing facial expression of fear (Michelangelo – Sistine Chapel)
Facial expression of disgust
Disgust is an aversion reaction towards an object. It appears when we are next to something which could harm or intoxicate us. For example, when we are tasting or smelling bad food. Disgust creates reactions meant to remove the stimulus responsible for disgust. Disgust may appear also towards a person’s looks, character or deeds. In this case disgust is triggered rather by social and moral standards, than by the innate ability of that person to harm us.
3.1 – Typical facial expression of disgust
3.2 – Painting showing facial expression of disgust (Carravaggio – Boy bitten by a lizard)
Facial expression of Anger
Anger is a mobilization reaction of the organism against some thing or event, that affects negatively the subject (physically or psychologically). Anger is a high energy emotion, energy needed to prepare for battle, for aggression.
4.1 – Typical facial expression of anger
4.2 – Painting showing facial expression of anger (William Adolphe Bouguereau – Orestes pursued by the Furies)
Facial expression of joy
Joy is an emotion which appears when something positive happens. Positive means that is a desirable outcome, in accordance with our purposes (whatever those are). Meeting a dear friend, winning the lottery, boss’ illness, all can generate joy.
5.1 – Typical facial expression of joy
5.2 – Painting showing facial expression of joy (Gerard van Honthorst – The procuress)
Facial expression of sadness
Sadness is an emotion caused by a loss, loss already produced and over which we don’t have any control. It is a passive feeling, our striving to adapt to consequences of loss.
6.1 – Typical facial expression of sadness
6.2 -Painting showing facial expression of sadness (Jacques Louis David – The anger of Achille)
Facial expressions illustrated above (in photos) are considered prototypes, „pure” forms of emotional expression. In fact, their looks change according to emotions’ intensity and various socio-cultural norms. For instance, at a party at the office we won’t display the same intensity of emotions as it would be if we would be drinking with our friends all weekend, till we dropped dead.
However, most of the time we display facial expressions containing combinations, not single emotions. It is known that human face can show almost up to 7000 facial expressions.
How good are you in detecting emotions from facial expressions? Try the following test!
Read emotion from facial expression
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