Interpretation of facial expressions of emotion: the influence of eyebrows.
The contribution of the eyebrow component (eyebrow density and eyebrow position) in interpretation of facial displays of emotions was explored. In Study 1, college students (N = 60) and children (N = 60), ages 6-9 years, listened to vignettes consisting of one or two sentences and selected the facial expression that best matched the vignette. A main effect for eyebrow density as well as interactions for Density x Age and Density x Emotion were found. Also, a main effect for eyebrow position and interactions for Position x Age, Position x Emotion, and Position x Age x Emotion were significant. Study 2 was conducted to better understand whether findings regarding eyebrow position were a function of mistaking the intended emotion portrayed in the vignettes. Using a within-subject design, responses from 60 children, age 6-9 years, were compared for trials when the emotion was designated and when emotion was not designated. A main effect for designation of emotion was not found; however, an interaction effect for Designation x Emotion was significant.
Kirkpatrick
S W
SW
Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Huntsville, USA.
Bell
F E
FE
Johnson
C
C
Perkins
J
J
Sullivan
L A
LA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003463:Cues; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005138:Eyebrows / Q000502:physiology*; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D012938:Social Perception