Differences in facial expressions of four universal emotions

The facial action coding system (FACS) was used to examine recognition rates in 105 healthy young men and women who viewed 128 facial expressions of posed and evoked happy, sad, angry and fearful emotions in color photographs balanced for gender and ethnicity of poser. Categorical analyses determined the specificity of individual action units for each emotion. Relationships between recognition rates for different emotions and action units were evaluated using a logistic regression model. Each emotion could be identified by a group of action units, characteristic to the emotion and distinct from other emotions. Characteristic happy expressions comprised raised inner eyebrows, tightened lower eyelid, raised cheeks, upper lip raised and lip corners turned upward. Recognition of happy faces was associated with raised cheek, lid tightening and raised outer brow. Characteristic sad expressions comprised furrowed eyebrow, opened mouth with upper lip being raised, lip comers stretched and turned down, and chin pulled up. Only lower brow and raised cheek were associated with sad recognition. Characteristic anger expressions comprised lowered eyebrows, eyes wide open with tightened lower lid, lips exposing teeth and stretched lip comers. Recognition of angry faces was associated with lowered eyebrows, raised upper lids and lower lip depression. Characteristic fear expressions comprised eyes wide open, furrowed and raised eyebrows and stretched mouth. Recognition of fearful faces was most highly associated with raised upper lip and nostril dilation, although both occurred infrequently, and with raised inner brow and widened eyes. Comparisons are made with previous studies that used different facial stimuli. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.