Facial Expressions and emotion

FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
& EMOTION










INTRODUCTION

Facial expressions are one of the most basic forms of communication, and are used to convey important emotions. Researchers have agreed upon seven basic and universal facial expressions of emotion: Anger, happiness, fear, surprise, disgust, sadness and contempt.

FACIAL EXPRESSION IN INFANTS

The ability to express emotions through facial expressions appears early in infancy.
Initially, crying is the only way for newborns to express their needs, but within a few days, they begin to react to the facial expressions of their parents, especially positive expressions, such as smiling, and they also begin to imitate them. At approximately one year of age, babies begin to alter their behavior in response to their parents facial expressions.

Researchers believe this influence has survival purposes. Children seem primed to look for their parents’ reaction or “ok” in helping them assess the safety o...