FACIAL
EXPRESSION
Facial
expressions are probably the variable that we observe the most to obtain
information about our speaker's emotions; if we have a high control
over our facial expressivity, it seems that, when a person is using
a facial expression that does not match their real mood, you will see
on their face for a few seconds a sign of their true feelings that often
goes undetected by others.
Facial
expressivity fulfills the following functions:
Indicates emotions: different transcultural studies have shown that
6 basic emotions exist:
happiness
surprise
sadness
fear
anger
disgust/disdain
The
facial expression which show these emotions is the same in all cultures
and innates, that's to say we are born with the ability to emit these
expression, nobody has to teach us how to do them.
Differences
between cultures lie in 2 aspects:
Unchaining an emotion: what makes you feel happy, surprised, etc.
is very different in different cultures throughout the world.
Intensity of the emotion: there are cultures that favour more expressivity
than others.
You
can fake emotions; although we have already previously mentioned that
the true emotion appears reflected in the face of the speaker although
it might be during a few seconds; besides there are other emotional
indicators, like body language or gestures, also uncontrolable variables,
like sweating on the forehead, the palms of the hands, all of these
things appear when we are nervous, although our faces tell you the contrary.
Provide feedback: we will learn later how important understanding
the person we are talking to is, we need to attend to the person that
is speaking. A way to do this is by using facial expressions according
to the contents; for example, making a surprised look when the message
is very striking, or a serious face when the story requires it. By
using facial expressions we are not interrupting the person that is
speaking but at the same time we are sending a message.
Expressing attitudes towards others or towards a situation : An image
is worth more than 1000 words and in many cases seeing someone's face
indicates to us if they feel attraction or repulsion towards something
or someone, without needing any words.
Providing more expressivity to the verbal content: people that accompany
their words with facial expression according to the content are usually
considered better communicators.