The ability to read faces is very important. Communication will be easier if you understand the emotions the other person is feeling. In interpersonal relationships, this ability allows you to take better care of those closest to you, while in a professional setting, it will be easier for you to understand coworkers and clients. However, you should pay close attention to it because small changes in facial expressions can represent very different feelings.
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Part 1 of 3: Reading Faces
Step 1. Look them in the eye
When reading a face, start with the eyes because the eyes are the most expressive part of the facial features. A person's mood can radiate from his eyes. Therefore, pay close attention to this section.
- The pupil dilates when a person is stimulated, or in low light. If you are in a well-lit area, watch for changes in pupil size. Dilated pupils indicate the other person is feeling aroused or interested.
- Pupils will shrink when we see something that is not liked or negative. This shrinkage blocks unwanted images.
- If the other person squints, he or she may not like you or what you are saying. He may also be suspicious of your words and actions. If you see a reaction like this, deal with it immediately and make it clear what you're saying.
- Eyes that move rapidly indicate insecurity or discomfort. This feeling can also be detected if the other person glances to the side. Broken eye contact indicates the other person is not fully involved in the conversation.
Step 2. Pay attention to the lips
Lip muscles are very smooth and move to reflect different moods and reactions. When someone started to speak, their lips would part slightly. Pay attention to this gesture because you need to be open and willing to listen when someone wants to talk to you.
- Lips that point inward are called pursed lips. Pursed lips signify tension, frustration, or disapproval. If a person purses his lips, it means that he is trying to contain whatever emotions are raging within him. This way allows one to hold back his words effectively.
- Pursing your lips to form a kiss shows desire. Pursed lips can also signify uncertainty, just like sucked lips. Often this movement is called "swallowing lips."
- Notice if the lips are twitching or twitching. Although these gestures are very subtle, these small changes indicate cynicism or distrust of the situation. A person who is lying can be caught by a small twitch of the lips.
Step 3. Observe the movement of the nose
The nose may not move as much as the eyes or lips, but its central position makes it easier to read.
- The puffy nostrils are a common movement. The flared nostrils allow more air in and out, preparing one for battle. The puffy nostrils indicate that the person is feeling angry or unhappy.
- The nose may wrinkle at the smell of a foul odor. In addition to a literal interpretation, "stink" can also be interpreted metaphorically, such as an unpleasant sight or thought that causes a frown to occur. If a person is thinking, he may wrinkle his nose when a disapproving thought passes.
- Sometimes, the blood vessels in the nose will dilate, making the nose look red and swollen. Usually this happens when someone is lying. There is a possibility that he will scratch his nose making his condition worse.
Step 4. Pay attention to the eyebrows
Eyebrows are often associated with the eyes and represent various body language communications. Although supported by limited muscles, eyebrows are clearly visible and indicate a different emotional state.
- Frowning your brows will also move your eyebrows. If your brow is furrowed and your eyebrows are raised, the other person may question your behavior or be surprised by your surroundings.
- When the eyebrows are lower, the eyes will be slightly hidden. If this movement is accompanied by a bowed head, this indicates a desire to hide the eye movement.
- Eyebrows that are slanted inward and pulled down indicate anger or frustration. However, the movement can also indicate intense concentration.
- Notice the horseshoe-shaped crease between the eyebrows. This strange symbol is known as "Darwin's muscle of grief", and denotes gloom or sadness.
Part 2 of 3: Understanding Emotions
Step 1. Look at happiness
A big smile is the most obvious way to show happiness. A smile is different from a grin. When a person smiles only the upper teeth are exposed. The lower eyelid should be curved like a crescent shape.
Happiness has a very wide range. From satisfaction to happiness. These various emotions can be detected by the same facial expression
Step 2. Recognize sadness
Pay close attention to the eyebrows. The position of the eyebrows will be tilted up. Someone who is sad also tends to frown. You can usually recognize sadness in someone when you see them frown.
- Pay attention to drooping and drooping eyelids.
- In contrast to happiness, sadness is a dangerous and powerful emotion. In addition to changes in facial expressions, you may notice a sharp drop in energy in a person who is grieving.
- Sad people can also be more reserved and withdrawn.
Step 3. Recognize surprise
Surprise is often an exciting emotion and can be recognized by wide-eyed and gaping mouths. If the shock level is milder, you may notice a small pout in your mouth.
- Eyebrows will be pulled high up.
- A person may frown when feeling surprised, but frowning in this case is more likely to lead to shock. Shock is a slightly more extreme emotion and can have a certain element of fear or disgust in it.
- Sudden attacks of astonishment and awe can cause one to feel startled.
Step 4. Look at the fear
Pay attention to the eyebrows and eyes first. The eyebrows will tilt upwards, and the eyes will widen. Mouth will likely also be wide open.
- Fear is a natural response to danger. If you see someone experiencing fear, look for the cause of this reaction. Fear is often associated with escape and avoidance behavior.
- Remember that fear is different from anxiety. Fear is always caused by an external threat, while anxiety is generated from within.
Step 5. Pay attention to disgust
Wrinkling of the nose is the hallmark of an expression of disgust. The eyebrows will also drop, and the mouth will gape.
- When someone has just seen something disgusting, imagine their mouth making an “iiih” sound. The lips will hang slack, and the upper lip will be pulled up.
- While disgust is usually a response that occurs when you eat or smell something disgusting, it can also occur when you just imagine it. Both experiences will trigger similar facial expressions.
Step 6. Recognize anger
If you want to know if someone is angry or not, look at their eyebrows. Eyebrows will drop and tilt inward, then furrow and merge to form a frown. The eyelids will tighten and straighten, while the eyebrows will drop.
- The mouth will tighten, or it can open wide with a loud scream.
- The head may be slightly bowed, and the jaw pushed forward.
Step 7. Recognize the insult
This emotion is usually used to express disapproval, and is characterized by a raised chin. This gesture made it easier for a person to look down on anyone who insulted him.
- The corners of the lips will tighten and lift on one side of the face. This movement is often called a sneer.
- An insult can also be accompanied by a small smile, giving the impression that the person is enjoying disapproving of your actions.
Part 3 of 3: Evaluating the Situation
Step 1. Read the macro expression
When trying to read faces, start by paying attention to macro expressions. The macro expression usually lasts for 0.5 to 4 seconds. This expression will occur all over the face so you can see the overall display of emotion.
- By understanding just the seven basic emotions, you will have enough knowledge to read macro expressions. The universal expressions referred to include joy, surprise, humiliation, sadness, anger, disgust, and fear. You must have experienced these seven expressions. Therefore, you should have no trouble reading them in macro expressions.
- If someone expresses these feelings through macro expressions, it's almost certain that he or she intends to provoke your response.
- For example, if someone is expressing sadness, they may want you to comfort them. However, when faced with a macro expression of contempt, the person may be trying to intimidate you.
- Know that it is very easy to manipulate false emotions through macro expressions. Macro expressions last longer, making it easier for someone to express those emotions. Don't be fooled by fake macro expressions.
Step 2. Pay attention to the micro-expressions
Microexpressions usually last for 1/15 and 1/25 of a second making it much more difficult to detect them on a person's face. While macro-expressions can convey the feelings someone is currently experiencing, they are more likely to reveal the real truth.
- When a person tries to hide his emotions, there is a possibility that the true emotions are “leaked”. This carelessness usually occurs in the form of micro-expressions. If you don't pay close attention to the face, you may miss the person's true emotions.
- If you want to understand someone's emotions more deeply, you have to be sensitive to micro-expressions. Having a deep understanding of one's feelings is essential for developing sensitive personal relationships.
- Although macro expressions can reveal the truth, it is possible for someone to "display" these emotions to provoke a response from the other person. By paying attention to micro-expressions, you have a greater chance of capturing true emotions.
Step 3. Understand subtlety
Subtle expressions are even more subtle than micro-expressions so you'll need to pay a fair amount of attention to them to detect them. This expression occurs even before the emotion can be fully felt, and is a natural response to circumstances.
- Subtle expressions may not be the full expression of an emotion. In micro-expressions, full emotion is seen for a short time. However, subtle expressions may only contain bits of full emotion.
- These subtle expressions can be key to detecting fraud because their brief occurrence can be hidden more easily than micro-expressions.
Step 4. Match emotions with body language
Once you've mastered facial recognition, you can start learning body language. Like facial expressions, body language is an important part of nonverbal communication. Recognizing changes physically will make it easier for you to understand other people.
- You can analyze a person's confidence by observing their posture. If he stands straight with his shoulders pulled back, it means the person is comfortable with his body. A slouched posture indicates a lack of self-confidence.
- If someone is being honest with their emotions, they will have no trouble making eye contact with you. Changes in his eyes can indicate that he is lying.
- The way a person speaks can be expressed in body language. A steady tone of voice will show that the facial emotions that are seen are in harmony with the emotions that are felt inside him.
- Keep in mind that certain psychological or cultural differences can affect body language and facial expressions. You need to confirm your initial opinion of someone by continuing to get to know them. An initial reading will be very useful, but it can't always be considered completely accurate.
