Facial Expressions

Facial expressions have been studied for years and continue to be studied now by researchers. From all the studying that has taken place on facial expressions, there have been two major viewpoints that have spawned. The first viewpoint is emotional expression, this viewpoint says that facial expressions are sporadic and come from raw emotions. The expressions only portray emotion and nothing more. The other is the behavioral ecology viewpoint; this states that the expression is not for just emotion, but the opposite. This viewpoint says that expressions are used or enhanced by the actions and expressions of those around you. This viewpoint states that it is more of a social behavior. I conducted a study that contained 10 observations of other people participating in regular actions. I waited and watched their facial expressions and what may have caused them. From this, I determined which viewpoint their facial expressions aligned with. I plan to compare the results and give some generalizations of my findings. I will also share any interesting things I may have found while observing the people. Then, I will conclude by stating my own personal opinion on the two viewpoints judging by what my results were and what I actually believe.

My observation took place at a table beside Starbucks and on the inside of the Cook Library at USM. I sat down and began to people watch, trying to find students doing everyday “student-like” activities. By “student-like”, I mean studying, looking for a book, typing papers, browsing the web, interacting with others, etc. As I started watching, I realized most people seemed to have happy expressions, in fact, my study showed that about fifty percent of the people being observed showed happy expres...

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...hat facial expressions can happen from pure emotion and spontaneity, such as the student packing up to leave the library, smiling at nothing because they have finished their task and can leave happily. Then on the other hand they can occur because of interaction and social status, such as the student studying with others and having motor mimicry of the smiling and actions of the other students. The first supports the expression view and the latter supports the ecology view.

In conclusion, from my observations I would have to take the standpoint in supporting both viewpoints. Each is accurate in its own way. Each can be proven in its own way. I feel it would be foolish to only support one when the other cannot be disproved. Both are correct and can be supported, which is why I firmly stand supporting both the expression and ecology viewpoints of facial expressions.