Emotions
Facial Expressions
Each and everyone of us know how we feel inside when we are sad, lonely, happy, excited and so on. To be an effective communicator, it is important to recognize that we can view other people's emotions. What emotions can you see in the late actor, Heath Ledger's final portrait?
What about the two other images over his shoulders?
They appear to be amused, humorous, or even telling jokes or secrets.
According to West and Turner, "Facial expressions, the most researched cues to emotion, are obviously one of the most important means for communicating emotion. When people view photos of facial expressions for a variety of emotions, they are accurate in their ability to discern one emotion from another. (2006, p. 103)"
According to the article The Physiology of ... Facial Expressions, "Studies from scientists have since shown that facial expressions across the globe fall roughly into seven categories.
SADNESS: The eyelids droop as the inner corners of the brows rise and, in extreme sadness, draw together. The corners of the lips pull down, and the lower lip may push up in a pout.
SURPRISE: The upper eyelids and brows rise, and the jaw drops open.
ANGER: Both the lower and upper eyelids tighten as the brows lower and draw together. Intense anger raises the upper eyelids as well. The jaw thrusts forward, the lips press together, and the lower lip may push up a little.
CONTEMPT: This is the only expression that appears on just one side of the face: One half of the upper lip tightens upward.
DISGUST: The nose wrinkles and the upper lip rises while the lower lip protrudes.
FEAR: The eyes widen and the upper lids rise, as in surprise, but the brows draw together. The lips stretch horizontally.
HAPPINESS: The corners of the mouth lift in a smile. As the eyelids tighten, the cheeks rise and the outside corners of the brows pull down."