[Recognition of emotions based on facial expressions in subjects with different personality traits]

A reaction time and accuracy of visual recognition of emotions of joy, anger and fear in their relation to personality traits was studied in 68 healthy subjects. According to scores of Kettell Questionnaire all the participants were divided into two groups: emotionally unstable and emotionally stable, which differed in their emotional and communication traits. It was shown that in the stable group recognition of fear was significantly worse and more slowly than in the unstable group. Besides, the emotionally stable subjects recognized the frightened facial expression less accurate and slowly than they did the joyous and threatening ones. The reaction time and recognition level was found to be closely correlated with some personality traits. These traits were different in two groups and differed from data in the control session of gender recognition. The conjunction between recognition of fearful facial expression and the personality traites and its adaptive significance were discussed. The data seems to be essential for understanding of individual strategy of communication.