Spontaneous and Dynamic Emotional Facial Expressions Reflect Action Readiness
As stated by Nico Frijda (1986, 2007), emotional facial expressions (EFE) reflect the subject’s relational activity, or state of action readiness. This view is in line with and old tradition in facial expression analysis according to which expressive behaviors are best viewed as functional actions that implement one’s relation to other people or to other aspects of the environment. As evidenced by studies in which subjects rated facial expression photographs in terms of an action readiness, observers can indeed interpret EFE as implementing modes of relational action readiness. In the present study, subjects were presented with 12 short excerpts (10sec. long) of adults’ faces expressing spontaneous displays of happiness, fright, disgust, boredom, interest and astonishment. They were asked to rate those expressions on 14 action readiness items on 5-point scales: “to what extent does the facial expression of this person manifest approach, avoidance, openness, ...?” Results show that the expected modes of action readiness were correctly associated with the corresponding EFE. Therefore these results give up support to the claim that E FE can be understood from the functions of their composing elements in approach, avoidance, affiliative intent, and the like. They will be discusses within the scope of a componential view of EFE for which components of expression each have theirs function s, linked to action readiness sources and relational functions , and consequently to emotions.