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Facial Expressions and Emotions Guide

- Facial expressions like squinting, furrowing of the forehead, and contortions indicate distress or discomfort, while a head tilt shows receptiveness and comfort. Pupil dilation shows comfort with those we're emotionally attached to. - Squinting can reflect negative thoughts and last only a fraction of a second. Eye blocking says "I don't like what I heard/saw." Brief eye touches or delayed eyelid opening also indicate negative perceptions or emotions. Tightly compressed lids show trying to block out negative news. - Relaxed eyes with little tension, arched eyebrows, and "flashbulb eyes" indicate positive feelings and excitement. Askance looks show distrust, while real smiles involve the eyes

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Linda Freud
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78 views25 pages

Facial Expressions and Emotions Guide

- Facial expressions like squinting, furrowing of the forehead, and contortions indicate distress or discomfort, while a head tilt shows receptiveness and comfort. Pupil dilation shows comfort with those we're emotionally attached to. - Squinting can reflect negative thoughts and last only a fraction of a second. Eye blocking says "I don't like what I heard/saw." Brief eye touches or delayed eyelid opening also indicate negative perceptions or emotions. Tightly compressed lids show trying to block out negative news. - Relaxed eyes with little tension, arched eyebrows, and "flashbulb eyes" indicate positive feelings and excitement. Askance looks show distrust, while real smiles involve the eyes

Uploaded by

Linda Freud
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as RTF, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

-Squinting, furrowing of the forehead, and facial contortions are indicative of distress

or discomfort.

-Head tilt says in a powerful way, I am comfortable, I am receptive, I am friendly.


It is very difficult to do this around people we dont like.
-In this diagram you can see pupil dilation and constriction. From birth we
find comfort in dilated pupils, especially those with whom we are emotionally attached.

-We squint to block out light or objectionable things. We squint when we are angry
or even when we hear voices, sounds, or music we dont like.
-Squinting can be very brief18 of secondbut in real time may reflect a negative thought or
emotion.
-Eye blocking with the hands is an effective way of saying, I dont like what I just heard, saw, or
learned.

-A brief touch of the eyes during a conversation may give you a clue to a
persons negative perception of what is being discussed.
-A delay in opening of the eyelids upon hearing information or a lengthy closure is indicative of
negative emotions or displeasure.
-Where the lids compress tightly as in this photo, the person is trying to block out totally some
negative news or event.

-When we are content, our eyes are relaxed and show little tension.
-Here the eyebrows are arched slightly, defying gravity, a sure sign of positive
feelings.
-Flashbulb eyes can be seen when we are excited to see someone or are full of
positive emotions we just cant hold back.
-We look askance at people when we are distrustful or unconvinced, as in this photo.
-A real smile forces the corners of the mouth up toward the eyes.
-This is a fake or polite smile: the corners of the mouth move toward the ears and
there is little emotion in the eyes.
-When the lips disappear, there is usually stress or anxiety driving this behavior.
-Note that when the lips are full, usually the person is content.
-When there is stress, the lips will begin to disappear and tighten.

-Lip compression, reflecting stress or anxiety, may progress to the point where the lips disappear,
as in this photo.
-When the lips disappear and the corners of the mouth turn down, emotions and confidence are
at a low point, while anxiety, stress, and concerns are running high.
-We purse our lips or pucker them when we are in disagreement with something or someone, or
we are thinking of a possible alternative.
-A sneer fleetingly signifies disrespect or disdain. It says I care little for you or your thoughts.
-Lip licking is a pacifying behavior that tends to soothe and calm us down. You see it in class just
before a test.
-Tongue jutting is seen when people get caught doing something they shouldnt, they screw up,
or they are getting away with something. It is very brief.
-A furrowed forehead is an easy way to assess for discomfort or anxiety. When we are happy and
content, you hardly see this behavior.
-We crinkle our noses to indicate dislike or disgust. This is very accurate but at times
fleeting. In some cultures it is really pronounced.
-When confidence is low or we are concerned for ourselves, the chin will tuck in, forcing the
nose down.
-When we feel positive, the chin comes out and the nose is high: both signs of comfort and
confidence.

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