This document discusses microexpressions, which are very brief facial expressions lasting a fraction of a second that occur when a person consciously or unconsciously conceals an emotion. It notes that seven universal emotions - anger, fear, sadness, disgust, contempt, surprise, and happiness - have distinct microexpression signals. The document outlines the history of research on microexpressions and provides descriptions of different types. It emphasizes that learning to identify microexpressions can help with emotional intelligence, empathy, and social skills. Resources for microexpression training from Paul Ekman are also mentioned.

1. MICROEXPRESSIONS
Savipra Gorospe, CHt, RPm

2. MICRO EXPRESSIONS
• Micro expressions are very brief facial expressions, lasting only a
fraction of a second.They occur when a person either deliberately or
consciously conceals a feeling. Seven emotions have universal signals:
anger, fear, sadness, disgust, contempt, surprise, and happiness. You can
learn to spot them.

3. HISTORY
• Haggard and Isaacs were the first to describe micro expressions (calling
them “micro momentary expressions”) in their study of psychotherapeutic
interviews.
• They explained the appearance of “micros” as the result of repression; the
patient did not know how he or she was feeling.
• Haggard and Isaacs also implied that these fleeting expressions could not be
recognized in real time, but Ekman and Friesen later showed that, with
training, anyone could learn to see “micros” when they occurred. Ekman
and Friesen also broadened the explanation of why micros occur.

4. HISTORY
• Micro expressions happen when people have hidden their feelings from
themselves (repression) or when they deliberately try to conceal their
feelings from others.
• Importantly, both instances look the same; you cannot tell from the
expression itself whether it is the product of suppression (deliberate
concealment) or repression (unconscious concealment).

5. TYPES
• Macro: normal expressions usually last between ½ second and 4 seconds.They
often repeat, and fit with what is said and the sound of the person’s voice.
• Micro:These are very brief, usually lasting between 1/15 and 1/25 of a second.They
often display a concealed emotion and are the result of suppression or repression.
• False: A deliberately-made stimulation of an emotion not being felt.
• Masked: A false expression made to cover a macro expression.

6. WHY ARE MICRO EXPRESSIONS
IMPORTANT?
Learning to spot micro expressions can
help you:
• Improve your emotional intelligence
• Develop your capacity for empathy
• Spot Concealed Emotions
• Improve your relationships
• Understand others
• Recognize and better manage your
own emotions
• Develop Social Skills

7. HOW CANYOU LEARN MICRO
EXPRESSIONS?
• There are many resources to help you learn to spot micro expressions.
• Paul Ekman has developed scientifically-proven training tools:
• Micro ExpressionTrainingTool (METT)
• Subtle ExpressionTrainingTool (SETT)

8. THE SEVEN UNIVERSAL
FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

9. ANGER
Eyes:The eyes show an intense look, with or
without white under the eyes.
The upper and lower eyelids are tight.
They eyebrows are low and can bind together.
Mouth:The jaws and lips are pressed
together. The lower lip may be somewhat bigger
as it is pressed. The mouth is narrow.
Body: Body temperature and heart rate are rising.

10. CONTEMPT
Mouth: Half of the upper lip is tightened
up. To make this half-smile of contempt, we
use the risorius muscle. While we share many
physiological characteristics with primates,
this small, flat muscle is not one of them. It is
located in the cheek, next to the lips.
Head: It is often slightly tilted
back. Contempt is often accompanied by a
sense of superiority

11. DISGUST
Nose:Wrinkles appear on and
around the nose.
Mouth:The upper lip rises and
the lower lip can be off-axis.
The teeth can be visible, but not
always.

12. FEAR
Eyes:They become bigger and rounder.
The upper eyelids are raised, as in the
expression of surprise, but the eyebrows
are close and may even touch.
Mouth:The lips are stretched
horizontally. They can be open or closed.
Body: Body temperature declines while the
heart rate rises.
Attitude: A person who feels fear will tend
to flee or at least stop what they are doing.

13. HAPPINESS
Eyes:The eyelids are tightened and
wrinkles appear in the corners of the
eyes, also known as crow's feet.
The eyebrows are drawn down.
Mouth:We recognize joy in the
smile. The mouth can be open or closed.
The cheeks are raised.

14. SADNESS
Eyes:They seem empty. It is also possible to
observe a contraction of the pupils.
The eyelids droop.
The eyebrows descend to the inside
corners. They can even bind in the case of an
extremely strong sadness.
Mouth:The corners of the lips are facing down.
The lower lip can be transformed into a pout.
Body:The body temperature rises. The heart rate
is faster than in the expression of disgust.

15. SURPRISE
Eyes:They seem empty. It is also possible to
observe a contraction of the pupils.
The eyelids droop.
The eyebrows descend to the inside
corners. They can even bind in the case of an
extremely strong sadness.
Mouth:The corners of the lips are facing down.
The lower lip can be transformed into a pout.
Body:The body temperature rises. The heart
rate is faster than in the expression of disgust.

16. REFERENCES
• Ekman, P.
Darwins-Compassionate-View-Of-Human-Nature-2010
JAMA February 10, 2010.Vol. 303 (6): 557-558
• Ekman, P. (2009)
Become-Versed-in-reading-faces
Entrepreneur, 26 March 2009.
• Ekman, P.
Lie Catching and Microexpressions
The Philosophy of Deception, Ed. Clancy Martin, Oxford University Press, 2009
• Frank, M.G., Matsumoto, D., Ekman, P. Sinuk, K., Kurylo,A. (2008)
Improving the Ability to recognize Microexpressions of Emotion
In review