Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rcrh6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T16:11:16.811Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Embodied simulation and the search for meaning are not necessary for facial expression processing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 December 2010

Jacob M. Vigil
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-1161. [email protected]@unm.eduhttp://www.unm.edu/~psych/faculty/sm_vigil.html
Patrick Coulombe
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-1161. [email protected]@unm.eduhttp://www.unm.edu/~psych/faculty/sm_vigil.html

Abstract

Embodied simulation and the epistemic motivation to search for the “meaning” of other people's behaviors are not necessary for specific and functional responding to, and hence processing of, human facial expressions. Rather, facial expression processing can be achieved through lower-cognitive, heuristical perceptual processing and expression of prototypical morphological musculature movement patterns that communicate discrete trustworthiness and capacity cues to conspecifics.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Fiske, S. T., Cuddy, A. J. C. & Glick, P. (2006) Universal dimensions of social cognition: warmth and competence. Trends in Cognitive Sciences 11:7783.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Geary, D. C. (2005) The origin of the mind: Evolution of brain, cognition, and general intelligence. American Psychological Association.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Leary, T. (1957) Interpersonal diagnosis of personality. Ronald.Google Scholar
Marsh, A. A., Adams, R. B. & Kleck, R. E. (2005) Why do fear and anger look the way they do? Form and social function in facial expressions. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 31:7386.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Montepare, J. M. & Dobish, H. (2003) The contribution of emotion perceptions and their overgeneralizations to trait impressions. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior 27:237–54.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rosenberg, S., Nelson, C. & Vivekananthan, P. (1968) A multidimensional approach to the structure of personality impressions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 9:283–94.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Todorov, A. (2008) Evaluating faces on trustworthiness: An extension of systems for recognition of emotions signaling approach/avoidance behaviors. Annuals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1124:208–24.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vigil, J. M. (2009) A socio-relational framework of sex differences in the expression of emotion. Behavioral and Brain Sciences 32:375428.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wojciszke, B. (2005) Morality and competence in person and self perception. European Review of Social Psychology 16:155–88.CrossRefGoogle Scholar