Friday, 28 February 2014
Facial Expressions
Facial expressions convey emotion and meaning to the person, who is looking at you. Even the slightest change in the position of your eyebrow can change the entire meaning of the body language that is being displayed. Facial expressions are the primary means of conveying social information among humans, but they can well be found in other mammals and some other animal species also. A simple smile itself is enough to express ‘I’m pleased’ or ‘I’m happy’ or even ‘I like you’. Being the foundations of body language, facial expressions are manifold varying from joy and approval to distrust and doubt. Read on to learn the different types of facial expressions.
Different Types Of Facial Expressions
Surprise
This expression can be characterized by lifted eyebrows such that they are curved and central to the forehead. The skin below the eyebrows stretch and horizontal wrinkles can be seen across the forehead. The eyelids are wide open’ while the jaw drops down separating the lips and the teeth. Often the head is tilted, but in two ways. If the head tilts forward, it indicates disbelief’ while if the head is pulled back, it indicates fear.
Interest
Usually, this expression is neutral and only indicates that the person is open to information. The features of such an expression are a half smile and a slight widening of the eyes. The forehead and the eyebrows are the expressions to watch out for. A slight frown indicates concentration, while narrow eyes show that the person is unable to absorb and accept the incoming information.
Joy
A clear emotion of sincere happiness! This expression rightly answers the question ‘Why do we smile?’ The characteristics of a joyful face include round eyes and raised cheeks. A broad smile that exposes the teeth expresses friendliness, politeness and approval.
Rage
Rage is the result of anger. The eyes narrow, the eyebrows lift up, forming the classic V-shape. The lips tighten while the face can be seen as prepared for combat. The reasons behind anger include hate, a desire to inflict hurt or a denial of consequences.
Fear
‘His face was a mask of terror’. This cliché from the English literature best describes a fearful face, as it takes on a mask-like appearance. A fearful face can be distinguished by a frozen stare, wild and wide-open eyes, pale and pulled back face, chills, sweating and strands of hair standing on end.
Anguish
Extreme (emotional) pain, distress or anxiety best describe the word anguish. The face alters to crying or rhythmic sobbing, with arched eyebrows, slightly open mouth and turned down lips.
Disgust
Disgust is an emotion associated with things that are considered as unclean, inedible, infectious or otherwise offensive. A person may close his nose and eyes as an attempt to prevent contact from the contagion to show an expression of disgust.
Shame
A person portrays this emotion when he realizes that he has been identified in an indefensible ‘wrong doing’. This happens when the person is caught by others, but also when he recognizes internally that he is wrong. Such a person can be identified by looking down or to the side in an attempt to avoid meeting the eyes of the other people. The mouth droops in sorrow; the head tilts forward or bows down with the eyebrows arching outwards in a non-aggressive expression
Sad or unhappy
Flirting or seductive facial expression.
Confused facial expression.
Concentrating facial expression.
Bored facial expression
The 7 Human Emotions...
What can we learn from the 7 Human Emotions?
How can we achieve a higher awareness of the purpose behind these 7 human emotions? How do they differ from other ones that are similar, but not on this list?
Find out more information on types of emotions, and more detail on the anger emotion in particular.
How we feel is usually what dictates our behaviour. If you want to learnhow to control your emotions, or simply understand exactly what it is you are feeling, keep reading. Different types of emotions are described and suggestions are given on what we can do about how we feel.
This list is considered a list of “root” emotions, and most emotions can be found on the spectrum of these 7 human emotions.
This list is considered a list of “root” emotions, and most emotions can be found on the spectrum of these 7 human emotions.
List of 7 Human Emotions
LOVE
Possibly the most sought-after human emotion. Feelings of personal affection and attachment to a particular person or animal are most commonly associated with love. Love can heal all, so we’re told by modern thinkers. It can range from slightly affectionate to deep, true, soul-bearing, all encompassing and solid-as-a-rock. It is the subject of songs, books, great feats of strength and great periods of depression. Some say there are only two true human emotions: Love and Fear. They are potentially opposites of the same thing. Love for a child will differ from love for a husband, wife, mother or father, long lasting friendship or forever companion dog. These feelings can be the fire we use to motivate us to excel, or never “finding a true love” can be the reason some use as to why they never have achieved great success. Related emotions include fondness, passion, contentment and adoration.
FEAR
Likely known as the emotion most people avoid feeling. A survival or adaptive mechanism, fear is a human emotion that often has unpleasant side effects. In cases of danger or extreme violence, post-traumatic stress disorder can result. Fear can also be protective in that it can help us survive desperate circumstances. It is a response to an immediate perceived threat or source of danger. It allows us to check our surroundings with a heightened vigilance, use our physical senses to locate and assess the source of danger, and quickly react to it. We can also develop fear as a long term consequence to something that has happened and we internalize it. For example, if a childhood friend we knew fell into the water and drowned, we may have learned to fear the water, and carry that fear into adulthood. Related emotions include apprehension, terror, panic, and paranoia.
LOVE
Possibly the most sought-after human emotion. Feelings of personal affection and attachment to a particular person or animal are most commonly associated with love. Love can heal all, so we’re told by modern thinkers. It can range from slightly affectionate to deep, true, soul-bearing, all encompassing and solid-as-a-rock. It is the subject of songs, books, great feats of strength and great periods of depression. Some say there are only two true human emotions: Love and Fear. They are potentially opposites of the same thing. Love for a child will differ from love for a husband, wife, mother or father, long lasting friendship or forever companion dog. These feelings can be the fire we use to motivate us to excel, or never “finding a true love” can be the reason some use as to why they never have achieved great success. Related emotions include fondness, passion, contentment and adoration.
FEAR
Likely known as the emotion most people avoid feeling. A survival or adaptive mechanism, fear is a human emotion that often has unpleasant side effects. In cases of danger or extreme violence, post-traumatic stress disorder can result. Fear can also be protective in that it can help us survive desperate circumstances. It is a response to an immediate perceived threat or source of danger. It allows us to check our surroundings with a heightened vigilance, use our physical senses to locate and assess the source of danger, and quickly react to it. We can also develop fear as a long term consequence to something that has happened and we internalize it. For example, if a childhood friend we knew fell into the water and drowned, we may have learned to fear the water, and carry that fear into adulthood. Related emotions include apprehension, terror, panic, and paranoia.
GRIEF
There are many different degrees of grief that we experience as a result of something we have lost, or a painful emotion we have experienced. The hurt we feel in our heart, or psychological suffering are all indicators of this emotion. We can be slightly disappointed or in the depths of despair. This can also be described as anguish or melancholy. This may colour our views of other situations, and we may become depressed as a result. There is a loss of joy or happiness.
ANGER
If you are feeling a strong feeling of dislike, disapproval or dissatisfaction, you are likely feeling the first of 7 human emotions, anger. Anger can be felt on a range of intensity, going from slight irritation to totally frustrated! It is usually a result of real or perceived wrongdoing. Rage, fury, exasperation and resentment all relate to the emotion of anger. Anger can be a result of instinct, or can be a reaction to something or someone mistreating or intentionally harming you. Anger turned inwards can lead to depression.
There are many different degrees of grief that we experience as a result of something we have lost, or a painful emotion we have experienced. The hurt we feel in our heart, or psychological suffering are all indicators of this emotion. We can be slightly disappointed or in the depths of despair. This can also be described as anguish or melancholy. This may colour our views of other situations, and we may become depressed as a result. There is a loss of joy or happiness.
ANGER
If you are feeling a strong feeling of dislike, disapproval or dissatisfaction, you are likely feeling the first of 7 human emotions, anger. Anger can be felt on a range of intensity, going from slight irritation to totally frustrated! It is usually a result of real or perceived wrongdoing. Rage, fury, exasperation and resentment all relate to the emotion of anger. Anger can be a result of instinct, or can be a reaction to something or someone mistreating or intentionally harming you. Anger turned inwards can lead to depression.
ANXIETY
Anxiety can be difficult to describe, as it is subjective and depends on the perception of the person feeling this emotion. Nervousness and uneasiness characterise anxiety, and it may have no apparent reason. Impending danger (or perceived danger), public speaking, an upcoming interview, having a baby, and day to day routine stress are all examples of anxiety-causing situations that can lead to feelings of anxiety. Apprehension, distress, worry and ambivalence are also related to this 4th of 7 human emotions.
SURPRISE
Surprised this is on the list? Many people are! The feeling of surprise can be a good thing or a bad thing. It is a sudden emotion, and can also include being bewildered, amazed, astonished (he did WHAT?) or being startled by someone or something. It is the reaction to something happening that was not anticipated. A “surprise party” for example could result in great joy and happiness, or dread and fear if someone does not like to be surprised.
TRUST
This refers to an inner strength, or self-assuredness, and allows us to act on our intuition that we rely on to direct how we feel about certain situations, or people. We will also feel confidence or experience hope. A feeling of being secure, certain in ourselves, someone else, or a situation and faith in a process also characterise this emotion. Consistency and predictability increase trust.
Anxiety can be difficult to describe, as it is subjective and depends on the perception of the person feeling this emotion. Nervousness and uneasiness characterise anxiety, and it may have no apparent reason. Impending danger (or perceived danger), public speaking, an upcoming interview, having a baby, and day to day routine stress are all examples of anxiety-causing situations that can lead to feelings of anxiety. Apprehension, distress, worry and ambivalence are also related to this 4th of 7 human emotions.
SURPRISE
Surprised this is on the list? Many people are! The feeling of surprise can be a good thing or a bad thing. It is a sudden emotion, and can also include being bewildered, amazed, astonished (he did WHAT?) or being startled by someone or something. It is the reaction to something happening that was not anticipated. A “surprise party” for example could result in great joy and happiness, or dread and fear if someone does not like to be surprised.
TRUST
This refers to an inner strength, or self-assuredness, and allows us to act on our intuition that we rely on to direct how we feel about certain situations, or people. We will also feel confidence or experience hope. A feeling of being secure, certain in ourselves, someone else, or a situation and faith in a process also characterise this emotion. Consistency and predictability increase trust.
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