Table of contents:
- Various facial expressions and their meanings
- Why don't facial expressions always reflect the heart's content?
- Facial expressions as a means of conveying messages
When you are happy, generally you will show it with a smile. Conversely, when you are sad, you may frown. This is commonplace for everyone. But you know, sometimes people who smile, their hearts are sad or maybe anxious. Why did that happen? Could it be that facial expressions do not always reflect someone's feelings and heart?
Various facial expressions and their meanings
Facial expressions are used by humans to convey various types of meanings. This is the most universal form of body language that people use to convey feelings. Several types of feelings are often expressed through the face, such as happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, disgust, fear, confusion, attraction, desire, or humiliation.
Facial expressions can reflect the true feelings and contents of a person's heart. Generally, these facial expressions can be read by moving the eyes and mouth or lips.
A person who smiles or raises their lips indicates that they are happy or happy, someone who is biting their lower lip is generally feeling scared or worried, while someone whose lips appear to be drooping indicates that they are sad.
From eye movements, someone who looks at the other person while communicating reflects that he is interested in the conversation. However, looking too long can also reflect that the person is feeling threatened. Meanwhile, if a person widened his eyes it could mean he was shocked.
Unconsciously, facial expressions are also used by humans when communicating. With facial expressions, one can judge whether what others say can be trusted or not.
Reporting from Verywell Mind One study found that the most reliable facial expressions were those that raised their eyebrows slightly and smiled slightly when speaking. On the other hand, there are facial expressions that can indicate someone is lying.
Why don't facial expressions always reflect the heart's content?
Although they can show feelings, not always facial expressions can reflect someone's heart. A study by Aleix Martinez, a professor from The Ohio State University, suggests that facial muscle movements do not always define emotions or feelings.
A person who smiles is not always feeling happy and not everyone who is happy is smiling. A smile has many meanings, such as to calm a situation, to be nervous, or to cover up facts. A smile can also mean that the person is friendly and polite.
Therefore, many people also call this condition fake smiles or a fake smile so that the facial expression he shows does not reflect his true feelings or feelings.
Then, why did this happen? Furthermore, Aleix explained that everyone has different characteristics. This has an effect on the expression it shows. Some are more expressive and some are less expressive. Then, there are people who are extroverted and there are people who are introverted. Extroverted and introverted people respond to a condition with different facial expressions.
In addition, everyone has a different cultural background and context so that the expressions shown in the situation are not always the same. Therefore, do not immediately assume someone's feelings from their facial expressions. This is because facial expressions do not always reflect a person's real heart.
Facial expressions as a means of conveying messages
On the other hand, facial expressions when communicating can actually mean that the person is conveying a purpose or message.
Bridget Waller, a professor of psychology at the University of Portsmouth, as quoted from BBC.com, say with a facial expression, someone gives a signal that he wants to continue the conversation, stop the conversation, or change the subject.
For example, someone who shows a disgusted expression or frowns, when in fact it could be because that person doesn't like or is uncomfortable with the conversation and tends to want to stop or shift the topic of conversation to something else.
