Reading other people's emotions is an important part of human communication. Recognizing facial expressions is an important way to get a feel for how someone is feeling. However, in addition to being able to recognize facial expressions, you also need to understand how to communicate what someone might be feeling. We recommend that you learn about the 7 main types of facial expressions, know the specific types of expressions used, and develop interpretations.
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Part 1 of 3: Learning the 7 Main Types of Facial Expressions
Step 1. Think about the connection between emotion and expression
Charles Darwin (1872) was the first to say that the facial expressions of certain emotions are universal. The studies of his time were not conclusive, but research on the subject continued, and in the 1960s, Silvan Tomkins conducted the first study to show that facial expressions are closely related to certain emotional states.
Studies show that when a blind person's emotions are aroused spontaneously, he or she also shows the same facial expressions as a person with normal vision. In addition, facial expressions that are considered universal in humans are also seen in nonhuman primates, especially chimpanzees
Step 2. Learn how to read happiness
A face that expresses happiness or joy will display a smile (corners of the mouth pulled up and back) with some teeth showing, and wrinkles from the outline of the nose to the outer corners of the lips. The cheeks are raised, and the lower eyelid is drawn or wrinkled. Narrowing of the eyelids causes the appearance of crow's feet in the outer corner of the eye.
A smiling face that does not engage the muscles around the eyes indicates a fake smile or a polite smile that is not an expression of true happiness or joy
Step 3. Identify grief
A sad face shows the eyebrows drawn in and up, the skin under the eyebrows in a triangle with the inner corners raised, and the corners of the lips pulled down. The jaw lifts and the lower lip pouts.
Studies show that sad emotions are the most difficult expressions to fake
Step 4. Know how to read insults
A face that shows contempt, or hatred, is characterized by one corner of the mouth being raised, much like a half-smile that is actually a grin.
Step 5. Identify expressions of disgust
Disgusted face features eyebrows pulled down, but the lower eyelids are raised (so the eyes narrow), the cheeks are raised and the nose is puckered. The upper lip is also raised or pursed upwards.
Step 6. Notice the shocked expression
The shocked face featured raised and arched eyebrows. The skin under the eyebrows tightens and there are horizontal wrinkles along the forehead. The eyelids open so wide that the whites of the eyes above and/or below the pupil are visible. The jaw drops and the upper and lower teeth are slightly separated, but the mouth is not tight or tense.
Step 7. Pay attention to the fear
Fearful faces are characterized by raised eyebrows which are usually flatter, not arched. There are wrinkles on the forehead, between the eyebrows, not along the forehead. The upper eyelid is raised, but the lower eyelid is tensed and pulled up, usually making the white of the eye appear above the pupil but not below it. The lips are usually tense or pulled back, the mouth may be open and the nostrils flared.
Step 8. Identify anger
An angry face will show the eyebrows being pulled down and closer, the eyes are glaring or bulging, with a vertical line appearing between the eyebrows and the lower eyelid tightening. The nostrils may be inflated, and the mouth tightly closed with the lips drawn down at an angle, or in a rectangular shape as if screaming. In addition, the lower jaw also protrudes.
Part 2 of 3: Knowing When Certain Expressions Are Used
Step 1. Pay attention to the macro expression
Macro expressions feature faces that correspond to certain feelings and last for 0.5 to 4 seconds, and usually involve the entire face.
- This type of expression is made when we are alone, or with family or close friends. These expressions last longer than “micro-expressions” because we are comfortable with our environment and don't feel like we have to hide our emotions.
- Macro expressions are relatively easy to see if you know what to look for in a person.
Step 2. Pay attention to the micro-expressions
Microexpressions are shortened versions of emotional facial expressions. This expression appears and disappears from the face in a fraction of a second, sometimes 1/30 of a second. The microexpressions happen so fast that if you blink, you might miss them.
- Micro-expressions are usually a sign of hidden emotions. Sometimes these emotions are actually not hidden, but only processed quickly.
- Research shows that micro-expressions occur because facial expressions cannot be fully controlled, even though the person concerned has tried to control his emotions. There are two neutral pathways in the brain that mediate facial expressions, and they attract each other in the face when a person is in an intensely emotional situation but is trying to hide his feelings.
Step 3. Start looking for this expression on someone's face
The ability to read facial expressions is very useful in various professions, especially those related to the public, such as doctors, teachers, researchers, and business people, as well as anyone interested in improving their personal relationships.
When chatting with someone, see if you can recognize their basic expressions. The basic expression referred to here is normal facial muscle activity when they feel little emotion or feel nothing at all. Then, during the conversation, look for macro or micro expressions, and see how they match their words
Part 3 of 3: Developing Interpretation
Step 1. Confirm your observations carefully
Remember that being able to read facial expressions doesn't automatically reveal what triggers the emotion, just that it exists.
- Don't assume and ask based on assumptions. You might ask, “Would you like to talk about it?” if you suspect someone is hiding their emotions.
- Asking "Are you angry?" or “Are you sad?” to someone you don't know very well or someone you have a professional relationship with may be too presumptuous and could make him or her angry or irritated. You have to make sure that he feels very comfortable with you before asking about his emotions outright.
- If you get to know him well, your questions may actually be fun and helpful. If you already suspect he's feeling certain emotions, this can be like a game. You should convey beforehand that you are learning to read facial expressions and it would help if you could practice with them occasionally.
Step 2. Be patient
Being able to read facial expressions doesn't give you authority over someone's feelings, and you shouldn't assume you know exactly how they're feeling without more communication.
- For example, if you're breaking someone with bad news, like they didn't get the promotion they hoped for, don't bluntly ask, “You're mad” because you saw a micro-expression of anger. A better response when you suspect he's angry is, "I'm always ready to listen if you want to talk about it."
- Give the other person time to express his feelings when he is ready. We all have different ways of communicating. Just because you believe he feels something doesn't mean he's ready to talk about it.
Step 3. Don't assume someone is lying
If someone's micro-expressions contradict what they are saying, there is a good chance that they are lying. There are various reasons why humans tend to be emotional when lying, such as fear of being found out, embarrassed, or even happy to lie to get away from something.
- Assuming that someone is lying and following through on that assumption can damage your relationship with them, unless you are a trained professional who can detect lies, such as a law enforcement agent.
- Law enforcement agents typically undergo years of training to learn to read body language, not only facial expressions, but also voice, gesture, gaze, and posture. Be careful when you read facial expressions, unless you are already a pro.
Step 4. Look for obvious signs that people are lying
While you can't rely on facial expressions alone to tell for sure that someone is lying, there are other signs that are the most proven to confirm a lie, and if you see them along with an inappropriate facial expression, then the person is indeed hiding the truth. The signs are:
- Jerking or tilting of the head suddenly
- Breathing slower
- Body is very stiff
- There is repetition (repeating certain words or phrases)
- Cooperative attitude (giving too much information)
- Covering the mouth or other sensitive areas, such as the throat, chest, or stomach
- Move your feet
- Difficulty in speaking
- Abnormal eye contact, such as no eye contact, blinking too often, or excessive eye contact without blinking.
- Pointing
Step 5. Consider cultural differences
Although facial expressions are considered the “universal language of emotion”, different cultures may interpret happy, sad, and angry facial expressions in their own way.
