Emotional expressions in psychology are observable verbal and nonverbal behaviors that

communicate an internal emotional or affective state. Examples of emotional expression are

facial movements such as smiling or scowling, or behaviors like crying or laughing.
Emotional expressions can occur with or without self-awareness. Presumably, individuals
have conscious control of their emotional expressions;[1] however, they need not have
conscious awareness of their emotional or affective state in order to express emotion.
Over the last 200 years, researchers have proposed different and often competing models
explaining emotion and emotional expression, going all the way back to Charles Darwin.[2]
However, all theorists in emotion agree that all normal, functioning humans experience and
express emotions with their voices, faces, and bodies.[citation needed] The expression of romantic
feelings are shaped by cultural and social factors. [3]

Contents

1 Models of emotion
o 1.1 Basic model
o 1.2 Appraisal model
o 1.3 Psychological construction model
o 1.4 Social construction model

2 Emotional regulation
o 2.1 Emotional intelligence
o 2.2 Disorders

3 See also

4 References

Models of emotion
There are many different theories about the nature of emotion and the way that it is
represented in the brain and body. Of the elements that distinguish between the theories of
emotion, perhaps the most salient is differing perspectives on emotional expression.[citation needed]
Some theories about emotion consider emotions to be biologically basic and stable across
people and cultures.[2][4][5] These are often called "basic emotion" perspectives because they
view emotion as biologically basic. From this perspective, an individual's emotional
expressions are sufficient to determine a person's internal, emotional state. If a person is
smiling, he or she is happy. If a person is crying, he or she is sad. Each emotion has a
consistent and specific pattern of expressions, and that pattern of responses is only expressed
during that emotion and not during other emotions. Facial emotional expressions are
particularly salient stimuli for transferring important nonverbal signals to others. For that

reason, emotional expressions are the best direct indicators of affective attitudes and
dispositions. There is growing evidence that brain regions generally engaged in the processing
of emotional information are also activated during the processing of facial emotions [6][7]
Some theories of emotion take the stance that emotional expression is more flexible, and that
there is a cognitive component to emotion. These theories account for the malleability in
emotion by proposing that humans appraise situations and, depending on the result of their
appraisal, different emotions and the corresponding expressions of emotion are triggered. The
tendency to appraise certain situations as one emotion or another can vary by person and
culture; however, appraisal models still maintain that there are basic responses that are
specific and consistent to each emotion that humans feel.[8][9][10]
Other theories of emotion propose that emotions are constructed based upon the person,
situation, culture, and past experiences, and that there are no preset emotional responses that
are consistent and specific to one emotion or another.[11][12][13][14]

Basic model
The basic model of emotions finds its roots in Charles Darwin's The Expression of Emotions
in Man and Animals. Darwin claimed that the expression of emotions involves many systems:
facial expression, behavioral response, and physical responses, which include physiological,
postural, and vocal changes. Most importantly, Darwin claimed that emotional expression was
consistent with his theories on evolution and thus, the expression of emotion is universal and
should therefore be expressed similarly across race or culture. This is known as the
universality hypothesis. Lastly, primates and animals exhibit precursors of muscle actions of
the facial expressions of humans.[4]
Many researchers have expanded on Darwin's original theories on emotional expression. Paul
Ekman, Carroll Izard and colleagues[15] were the first to test Darwin's theory. These
psychologists, through cross-cultural empirical tests found that there were a number of basic
emotions that were universally recognized.[15][16] Later studies suggested that facial
expressions are unique to each emotion and are signals that convey information of one's
internal state, and this information is used to coordinate social interactions.[4][15] Overall, the
basic emotion perspective assumes that emotions are unique events that occur as a result of
special mechanisms, and each emotion has its own respective specific brain circuit. Moreover,
the expression of each emotion has its own respective response, manifestation in face, voice,
and body.[17] The basic emotion view Ekman to create the Facial Action Coding System
(FACS) and Facial Expression Awareness Compassion Emotions (F.A.C.E). FACS is a
database of compiled facial expressions, wherein each facial movement is termed an action
unit (AU). F.A.C.E explains how to become keen at observing emotion in the faces of others.
It consists of the Micro Expression Training Tool (METT), which trains individuals to
disambiguate between emotional expressions through recognizing distinct facial expressions
that are unique to each emotion. The second part of this training program trains individuals to
read micro-expressions; a face elicits an emotion very quickly and the individual is prompted
to report which emotion was seen. The Subtle Expression Training Tool (SETT) trains
individuals to be able to recognize the subtle changes in a person's facial expression due to
slight changes in emotional experiences. These subtle expressions can occur at the onset of
emotions, or when an individual is actively suppressing the emotion.[18]

Appraisal model

Appraisal models of emotion state that emotions are triggered by mental states that are truly
unique in both form and function. Appraisal models are similar to the basic model of emotion
in that both views consider that, once an emotion is triggered, emotional expressions are
biologically predetermined and are displayed only in one emotion and every time that emotion
is expressed. The main difference between basic emotion models and appraisal models is that
appraisal models assume that there is a cognitive antecedent that determines which emotion is
triggered. Traditional appraisal theories consider appraisals to be universal and like a set of
switches that can be turned on by biological and environmental triggers. When a person
makes an appraisal, an individual will react with an appropriate, emotional response that can
include an external, emotional expression. More recent appraisal models account for variation
in emotional expression by suggesting that cognitive appraisals are more like themes that can
be triggered by a number of different actions and situations. Emotional expressions arise from
these appraisals, which essentially describe the context of the situation.[19] One appraisal
model has developed the law of situational meaning, which states that emotions tend to be
evoked by certain kinds of events. For example, grief is elicited by personal loss. In this case,
personal loss would be the appraisal and one can express grief through emotional expressions.
[20]

Psychological construction model

Another model of emotion, called psychological construction, describes emotion as a
construction that results from more basic psychological processes. In a psychological
construction model, basic psychological processes like affect (positive or negative feeling
combined with some degree of physiological activation), previous experiences, language, and
executive functioning combine to form a discrete emotion experience. While some discrete
emotions tend to have typical responses (e.g. crying when sad, laughing when happy) a
psychological construction model can account for the wide variability in emotional expression
(e.g. crying when extremely happy; laughing when uncomfortable). Psychological
construction models call into question the assumption that there are basic, discrete emotion
expressions that are universally recognized. Many basic emotion studies use highly posed,
stereotypical facial expressions as emotional signals such as a pout, which would indicate one
is feeling sad. These facial expressions can be better understood as symbols of emotion rather
than signals.[21] While these symbols have undeniable emotional meaning and are consistently
observed during day-day emotional behavior they do not have a 1-to-1 relationship a person's
internal mental or emotional state. For example, not everyone furrows their brow when they
are feeling angry. Moreover, these emotional symbols are not universal due to cultural
differences. For example, when Western individuals are asked to identify an emotional
expression on a specific face, in an experimental task, they focus on the target's facial
expression. Japanese individuals use the information of the surrounding faces to determine the
emotional state of the target face.[22] This challenges experiments that solely use a presentation
of an isolated emotional expression in experiments because it is reflecting just a Western
notion of emotion.[11][12][13][23]

Social construction model

Social construction models generally say that there is no biological circuitry for emotions
since emotions are solely based on experience and context. Some even suggest that certain
emotions can only exist in the reciprocal exchanges of a social encounter. Since there are
unique local languages and local moral orders, cultures can use the same emotion and
expression in very different ways.[24] Thus, emotional expressions are culturally-prescribed

performances rather than internal mental events. Knowing a social script for a certain emotion
allows one to enact the emotional behaviors that are appropriate for the cultural context.[19]
Emotional expressions serve a social function and are essentially a way of reaching out to the
world.[25]

Emotional regulation
Various researchers have highlighted the importance for an individual of being able to
successfully regulate emotions. Ways of doing this include cognitive reappraisal (interpreting
a situation in positive terms) and expressive suppression (masking signs of inner emotional
states).[1] Emotions are evident through facial expressions. Humans can express their own
emotions and understand others as well.[26] Humans can quickly identify happy expressions
whereas the disgust expression takes longer to identify.[27]

Emotional intelligence
Theorists such as Gardner and Sternberg have each presented different definitions and
categories of intelligence.[28] Gunderman refers to emotional intelligence as a type of
intelligence, in addition to the commonly used definition. He has defined it as "the ability to
understand and respond to emotions in daily life".[26] For instance, a person who does not face
his or her emotions and tackle them may be constantly frustrated. This person will face
troubles moving on with his or her life. Consequently, emotionally intelligent individuals are
better at expressing and identifying their emotions and those of the people around them.
Those who are adept at handling their emotions tend to live an easier life than those who are
not. Since people with better emotional intelligence are sensitive to emotions, they are
considered better team players and are family-oriented.
Some researchers argue that emotional intelligence is biological, while others say it is innate.
Gunderman states that emotional intelligence is a learned and an instinctual skill.[26]
According to him, it can be cultivated through three means: learning more about it, drawing
attention to it for oneself and others, and reading the works of authors he considers to be
emotionally intelligent, such as Jane Austen and Leo Tolstoy.[26] Through engaging in
emotional expressions and regulation, it is contemplated more than before and brings forth
considerable changes in life and attitude. Sy and Cote conducted a study that proved
emotionally intelligent are more competent and perform better. Therefore, many companies
are using "EI training programs" to increase matrix performance.[29]

Disorders
There are few disorders that show deficiency in emotional expression. These include autism
and involuntary expression disorder.[citation needed]

See also

Affect display

Coping (psychology)

Emotional Intelligence

Emotions and culture

Facial expression

Microexpression

Sex and emotion

References
1.

Dorset Research & Development Support Unit, 2003. "Emotional Expression."

Retrieved on: July 23, 2007.

2.

Darwin, Charles (1872). The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals.
London: John Murray.

3.

Marshall, T. C. (2005). Emotional intimacy in romantic relationships: A

comparison of European and Chinese Canadian students

4.

Matsumoto, David (2008). "Facial Expressions of Emotions". In Lisa

Feldman-Barrett. Handbook of Emotion. New York: Guilford Press. pp. 211234.

5.

Ekman, Paul (1999). "Basic Emotions". In T. Dalgleish, & M. Power.

Handbook of Cognition and Emotion. John Wiley & Sons Ltd. pp. 4560.

6.

WRONKA, ELIGIUSZ (2011). "Attention modulates emotional expression

processing". Attention modulates emotional expression processing.

7.

WALENTOWSKA, WIOLETA (2011). "Attention modulates emotional

expression processing". Attention modulates emotional expression processing.

8.

Arnold, Magda B. (1960). Emotion and personality: Vol 1. Psychological

Aspects. New York, NY: Columbia University Press.

9.

Lazarus, R. (1991). Emotion and adaptation. New York, NY: Oxford

University Press.

10.

Frijda, Nico H. (1986). The emotions. New York, NY: Cambridge University
Press.

11.

Barrett, Lisa Feldman (2006). "Solving the emotion paradox: Categorization

and the experience of emotion". Personality and Social Psychology Review 10: 2046.
doi:10.1207/s15327957pspr1001_2.

12.

Barrett, Lisa Feldman (2006). "Emotions as natural kinds?". Perspectives on

Psychological Science 1: 2858. doi:10.1111/j.1745-6916.2006.00003.x.

13.

Barrett, Lisa Feldman (2009). "Variety is the spice of life: A psychologist

constructionist approach to understanding variability in emotion". Cognition &
Emotion 23: 12841306. doi:10.1080/02699930902985894.

14.

Russell, J.A. (2003). "Core affect and the psychological construction of

emotion". Psychological Review 110: 145172. doi:10.1037/0033-295x.110.1.145.

15.

Shariff, A. F.; Tracy, J. L. (5 December 2011). "What Are Emotion Expressions

For?". Current Directions in Psychological Science 20 (6): 395399.
doi:10.1177/0963721411424739.

16.

Keltner, Dacher; Paul Ekman (2003). Introduction: Expression of Emotion.

New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 411414.

17.

Gross, J. J.; Feldman Barrett, L. (10 January 2011). "Emotion Generation and
Emotion Regulation: One or Two Depends on Your Point of View". Emotion Review 3
(1): 816. doi:10.1177/1754073910380974.

18.

Ekman, Paul. "FACS vs F.A.C.E.".

19.

Gross, James; Barrett, Lisa Feldman (2011). "Emotion Generation and

Emotion Regulation: One or Two Depends on Your Point of View". Emotion Review 3:
816. doi:10.1177/1754073910380974.

20.

Frijda, Nico H. (1988). "The laws of emotion". American Psychologist 43:

349358. doi:10.1037/0003-066x.43.5.349.

21.

Barrett, Lisa Feldman (2011). "Was Darwin Wrong About Emotional

Expressions?". Current Directions in Psychological Research 20: 400406.
doi:10.1177/0963721411429125.

22.

Barrett, Lisa Feldman; Mesquita, Batja; Gendron, Maria (2011). "Context in

Emotion Perception". Current Directions in Psychological Research 20 (5): 286290.
doi:10.1177/0963721411422522.

23.

Barrett, Lisa Feldman; Russell, J.A. (1998). "Independence and bipolarity in

the structure of current affect". Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 74: 967
984. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.74.4.967.

24.

Harre, Rom (1986). "The social constructionist viewpoint". The social

construction of emotions. Oxford, UK: Blackwell. pp. 214.

25.

Solomon, Robert (2003). "The politics of emotion". The Joy of Philosophy.

New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 3863.

26.

Gunderman, Richard B. (May 2011). "Emotional Intelligence". Journal of the

American College of Radiology 8 (5): 298299. doi:10.1016/j.jacr.2011.02.007.
Retrieved 26 February 2012.

27.

Chen W, Lander K and Liu CH, 2011. "Matching faces with emotional
expressions."

28.

Carlson, Neil R.; C. Donald Hebb (2007). Psychology the Science Of

Behaviour (4 ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc. ISBN 0-205-64524-0.

29.

Sy, Thomas; Stphane Ct (January 2004). "Emotional Intelligence - A key

ability to succeed in the matrix organization". Journal of Management Development
23 (5): 437455. doi:10.1108/02621710410537056. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
[show]

Emotions (list)
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