What Each Facial Expression Communicates To The People Around You

From the moment we're born, human beings typically begin to interpret universal facial expressions to understand the world around us. It may be true that you cannot always trust someone's facial expression, but in many cases, you can analyze others’ intentions based on their body language. Facial expressions, in particular, can convey a great deal. For instance, a smile with crinkling eyes can indicate happiness, while tears and a downturned mouth can signal sadness. If you struggle to interpret facial expressions or find communication challenging, working with a therapist online or in person may be helpful.

How infants learn to recognize facial expressions

Human beings seem to be biologically hardwired to recognize what we might think of as basic facial expressions. They also tend to understand the emotions that these expressions typically convey. At first, an infant will likely not be able to engage with their environment. Over time, though, a baby usually hits various social milestones. They may become interested in the conversations taking place near them. They might smile in social situations or mimic the facial expressions of others as well.

Understanding what each facial expression communicates

Below, we'll go over some of the facial characteristics that you might expect to see when you're confronted with the universal emotions of humans. Research suggests that there are generally seven main emotions that lead to facial expressions that can be universally recognized, even by children and babies. These generally include anger, contempt, disgust, fear, joy, sadness, and surprise.  

Here, we’ll discuss happiness, sadness, and anger, which are perhaps the most common facial expressions and emotions you might experience on a regular basis. Disgust, surprise, contempt, and joy usually mimic many of the key features of each of the three main categories discussed below.

What you might expect from happiness

When someone is happy, you might see crinkling of the skin by their eyes, raised cheeks, and an upturning of each corner of the mouth. 

When someone is faking amusement, they might smile, but the smile may not reach their eyes. In other words, if someone is faking a smile, the corners of their mouth might turn up, but these other movements will probably be absent.

A happy facial expression can communicate to the people around you that you are actively engaged in what is taking place. Likewise, happiness or a smile can show that your intentions are good and that you aren’t a threat. Think of the signs of happiness as a foundation for healthy, safe interaction. Smiles can make us feel good, more likely to confide in someone, and overall, more comfortable in a given situation.

Someone who’s experiencing joy may also smile, but because joy is generally a more intense emotion, a wide, toothy smile, laughing, clapping, and other signs of intense happiness may be visible.

What you might expect from sadness

Signs of sadness that can be universally recognized may include frowning, furrowing of the brow or forehead, and teary eyes or crying. Responding to sadness with concern can be a natural human response. Empathy can motivate us to help someone who looks sad, even if we don’t know them. It may be this ability to connect with and uplift one another that has historically set humans apart from other similar species. Perhaps that’s why it’s often so easy for us to recognize when someone isn’t feeling quite right, even if they’re trying not to let it show.  

What you might expect from anger

Anger can be another common human emotion, and when we see it, it can put us on high alert. Someone who is angry might have pink or reddened skin, pointed brows, a clenched jaw, pursed lips, or visible, slightly bared teeth. They may also breathe more heavily or quickly than usual, and in severe cases, a slight tremor may also be noticeable.

Responding to anger with fear or the desire to retreat may be embedded into our subconscious minds. After all, fleeing from an angry predator or enemy likely would have served our ancestors well, so recognizing the signs of anger quickly could be highly advantageous. 

This same logic can explain why disgust and contempt can also be easily recognizable. Seeing the soured facial expression of a friend who’s just consumed something not-so-savory can help us avoid repeating the same mistake. Likewise, avoiding situations where you may be subject to judgment, ridicule, or even attack can also be achieved through understanding facial expressions.

Do you want to learn more about communication?

Not everyone finds it easy to read people based on their facial expressions. Many mental health disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders can inhibit a person’s ability to understand nonverbal communication. Additionally, feeling overly sensitive to the emotions and expressions of others can stem from concerns that might warrant seeking professional guidance. 

Whether you have a hard time communicating with others or simply want to learn more about how to do so effectively, working with a mental health professional can be a beneficial experience. 

Benefits of online therapy

If you choose to pursue online therapy, you might find it even easier to connect with someone who understands your needs. The personalized nature of online care can also make learning to communicate and discuss difficult topics easier.

Effectiveness of online therapy

Although more research may be needed regarding the efficacy of online therapy for improving communication skills, evidence generally suggests that online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy in treating a wide variety of mental health disorders and concerns.