Citation

Tracy JL, Randles D, Steckler CM. Curr. Opin. Behav. Sci. 2015; 3: 25-30.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.cobeha.2015.01.001

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

We review research on social communication occurring via nonverbal expressions of emotion. Early studies suggest that a small number of emotions are associated with distinct nonverbal expressions -- including facial and bodily displays, and vocal bursts -- which are reliably recognized and displayed across cultures. More recent work has sought to address the question of why these expressions exist; that is, what function they serve. A Two-Stage Model of the evolution of emotion expressions suggests that although expressions originally served internal, physiological functions, they later came to serve more social, communicative functions. In fact, a growing body of research indicates that emotion expressions signal: basic information about whether expressers should be approached or avoided, and more specific personality trait information about expressers. In addition, expressions shape behavior; they promote tendencies to approach or avoid, and influence judgments and decision-making in a range of domains, including resource distribution. In each case, distinct emotion expressions (e.g. fear, pride) have theoretically predictable, emotion-specific effects on observers' perceptions and responses. Overall, findings suggest that emotion expressions are adaptive communicative signals, which have a major impact on everyday social communication.