title: Laterality of facial expressions of emotion: Universal and culture-specific influences.
abstract: Recent research indicates that (a) the perception and expression of facial emotion are lateralized to a great extent in the right hemisphere, and, (b) whereas facial expressions of emotion embody universal signals, culture-specific learning moderates the expression and interpretation of these emotions. In the present article, we review the literature on laterality and universality, and propose that, although some components of facial expressions of emotion are governed biologically, others are culturally influenced. We suggest that the left side of the face is more expressive of emotions, is more uninhibited, and displays culture-specific emotional norms. The right side of face, on the other hand, is less susceptible to cultural display norms and exhibits more universal emotional signals.
authors.affiliation: Indian Institute of Technology--Kharagpur, India. mkm@hss.iitkgp.ernet.in
authors.forename: Manas K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Mandal
authors.forename: Nalini
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ambady
mesh_terms: D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005149:Facial Expression; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D012945:Social Values