PSY331 - 5. Facial Expression Flashcards
The Origin of Facial Expressions
All humans have same facial muscles and nerves that control them.
darwin noticed facial expressions were shared by different species
The Origin of Facial Expressions
Independent motor systems:
i. Subcortical (extrapyramidal): automatic
ii. Cortical (pyramidal): control - more implicated in cultural differences
A. Measuring Facial Expressions
Strategic smiles (social smiles) - fake smiles
zygomaticus major
Duchenne smile (enjoyment smile) - true smile of happiness
zygomaticus major + orbicularis oculi
Facial Affect Scoring Technique (FAST)
77 descriptors from three parts of the face
Describe facial movements
pictures of three parts of the face
Facial Affect Scoring Technique (FAST)
surprise: should have up eyebrows, open eyes, gaping mouth
judgement approach: use prototypical components of facial expression
Facial Affect Scoring Technique (FAST)
limitation: No measure of intensity/facial changes over time
static procedure
Facial Action Coding System (FACS)
Anatomically based coding system based on minimal
facial muscle actions involved in expressions
minute muscular movement
Facial Action Coding System (FACS)
so other ppl can replicate study
coding for intensity and movement and time course
way eyes are looking
Provides 44 facial action units (AUs)
Judgment approach
Can an observer determine others’ emotions from their facial expression? innate or learned?
Judgment approach
if everyone is making same expression then it should be nature, not nurture
way easier
accurate when agree on emotion greater than chance
Darwin’s thesis of universality
must be adaptive functioning
evolution wasn’t the norm back then
over time, seeing that all cultures are able to discern emotion
born deaf or blind show same facial expressions
Ekman – cross-cultural judgment approach research
asked what is happening in this picture; look at this pic, what are they feeling (open or scenario based)
across cultures, even with no contact, same expressions
B. Nature vs. Culture
Different patterns of brain activation when perceiving
distinct facial expressions
we’re noticing diff in diff configurations of face
even if diff race (europeans), they recognized it
Nature vs. Culture
- All stimuli at once: compare/contrast - inflating differentiation ability
- Strong, conventional, + prototypical: not often showing this emotion, overstating how well we can disambiguate
Nature vs. Culture
- Implies mutual exclusivity: removes possibility there is more than 1 - able to use process for elimination
- Does not allow “not on this list”/“situationally dependent”
Nature vs. Culture
- Standard chance level questionable: only 1 positive emotion, changes are increased
deflated chance level, stimuli showed 1 at a time, added not on this list = still same findings
Frank and Stennett (2001)
Used modified forced-choice format with “none of these terms is correct” option
chose none of the above
second study, removed “correct” facial expression from list
Frank and Stennett (2001)
In another study, added additional plausible labels:
alarmed, bored, contempt, and excited
still correctly recognized
Nature vs. Culture
Typical procedures might underestimate ppl’s ability to interpret emotional expression
notice bunch of things: tears, posture, tone of voice, smell
Adams and Kleck (2003)
showed different eye positions
better at discerning fear when looking away from us, because not likely looking at us when they are scared
Nature vs. Culture: Haidt and Keltner (1999)
American and Indian samples
Identified 14 facial expressions using own words & forced-choice procedure
Nature vs. Culture
Included extra facial expressions: embarrassment,
shame, compassion, amusement, tongue biting, face
covering, and gaping.
seven ekman expressions
anger, fear, happiness, sadness, disgust, surprise, contempt
Haidt and Keltner (1999)
ppl are discerning anger, disgust, happiness, surprise, sadness
not as problematic as thought to be
Nature vs. Culture
In-group advantage - more accuracy when viewing
members of same culture
Cultural differences in display rules - cultural rules
about expressing emotions
Nature vs. Culture
women allowed to show sadness
who you’re allowed to show emotions to
Nature vs. Culture: Interactionist perspective
Strong innate component for several facial expressions of emotions
Cultural rules influence which facial expression individuals exhibit
interaction of nature and nurture
Nature vs. The Purpose of Facial Expressions: Emotion-Expression View
just release of muscle energy
displays of internal states of emotion
ekman: natural reaction to emotion
The Purpose of Facial Expressions: Emotion-Expression View
distinct facial expression for eeg, F.A.C.T.S
pleasant/negative stimuli - seperate muscle movements
The Purpose of Facial Expressions
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The Purpose of Facial Expressions: Behavioural Ecology View
Functions: Informative (e.g., emotional state, behavioural intentions, relational status)
Evocative: how other ppl treat you (e.g., others’ anger - avoidance; fear - approach)