Are there universal expressions of emotion? - Sophie Zadeh

Summary

This video explores the universality of facial expressions and their connection to emotions. It highlights Charles Darwin's theory that emotional expressions are innate, not learned, across cultures, supported by Paul Ekman's research on isolated tribes. Six core expressions—anger, disgust, fear, surprise, sadness, and happiness—are universally recognized, with variations in their intensity based on culture. The video also delves into the evolutionary significance of expressions, suggesting they aid survival and group dynamics. With insights from blind athletes and non-human mammals, the study of facial expressions continues to reveal fascinating connections to our physiology and evolutionary history.

Takeaways

• 😀 The human face has about 40 muscles that can create thousands of different expressions.
• 😀 Emotional expressions are not universal across all cultures, but certain expressions are shared globally.
• 😀 Charles Darwin believed emotional expression was a common human trait, but many researchers once disagreed.
• 😀 Silvan Tomkins argued that certain emotional expressions were universal, which was later supported by research.
• 😀 Paul Ekman tested Tomkins' theory by studying remote tribes, finding their facial expressions were familiar and accurate.
• 😀 Blind and sighted athletes display the same emotional expressions, providing further evidence of universal facial expressions.
• 😀 Comparisons between humans and non-human mammals, like chimpanzees, reveal similar facial muscle movements.
• 😀 Ekman identified six core facial expressions: anger, disgust, fear, surprise, sadness, and happiness.
• 😀 Other expressions, such as contempt, shame, and disapproval, have been proposed but aren't universally agreed upon.
• 😀 Evolutionary theories suggest facial expressions are linked to survival, helping to signal danger or internal emotional states.

Q & A

How many muscles are involved in facial expressions, and how do they contribute to creating different emotions?

There are around 40 muscles in the human face that can be activated in different combinations, allowing for the creation of thousands of distinct expressions. These muscles help convey a wide range of emotional states.

Did Charles Darwin believe that emotional expressions were universal?

Yes, Charles Darwin theorized that emotional expression was a common human feature, suggesting that facial expressions were universally understood across cultures.

What was the prevailing belief about emotional expression before the mid-20th century?

Before the mid-20th century, many researchers believed that emotional expressions were learned behaviors that varied across cultures.

What did Silvan Tomkins believe about emotional expressions?

Silvan Tomkins believed that certain emotional expressions, or affects, were universal, contradicting the idea that they were learned behaviors influenced by culture.

What was Paul Ekman's contribution to the study of facial expressions?

Paul Ekman tested the theory of universal emotional expressions by analyzing film footage of isolated tribes. He found that the facial expressions of these native peoples were familiar and occurred in expected emotional situations.

What did Ekman discover about tribal people who had no exposure to Western culture?

Ekman found that tribes with no prior exposure to Western culture were able to correctly match photos of facial expressions with stories designed to evoke specific emotions, supporting the idea of universal emotional expressions.

How do blind individuals exhibit facial expressions in comparison to sighted individuals?

Studies on both blind and sighted athletes have shown that they display similar facial expressions when winning or losing their matches, indicating that emotional expressions are universal, regardless of sight.

What evidence exists to support the idea that facial expressions have evolutionary roots?

Comparisons of facial expressions between humans and non-human mammals, such as chimpanzees, show similarities in the structure and movement of facial muscles, supporting the theory that facial expressions have evolutionary origins.

What are the six core facial expressions identified by Ekman, and what emotions do they represent?

Ekman identified six core facial expressions: anger (lowered eyebrows, narrowed eyes, tight lips), disgust (pulled-up lips, crinkling nose), fear (raised eyebrows, open mouth), surprise (rounded eyebrows, relaxed lips), sadness (drawn-inward eyebrows, drooping eyes), and happiness (upturned lips, raised cheeks).

Why are certain emotional expressions considered important for survival?

Certain emotional expressions, like fear and surprise, signal potential threats, which can trigger a survival response. These expressions may help individuals prepare to fight or flee, improving their chances of survival.