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Protocol for Data Collection and Analysis Applied to Automated Facial Expression Analysis Technology and Temporal Analysis for Sensory Evaluation
Published on: August 26, 2016
Gender and age differences in facial expressions
Odyssia Houstis1, Stavros Kiliaridis
1Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Geneva, Switzerland. odyssia@gmail.com
European Journal of Orthodontics
|June 23, 2009
Summary
Facial expression analysis reveals age and gender differences in how people move their faces. Adults show increased vertical movements compared to children, with distinct gender-based patterns in posed smiles and lip puckers.
Area of Science:
- Human physiology
- Developmental psychology
- Biometrics
Background:
- Quantitative analysis of facial expressions is crucial for understanding human communication and development.
- Previous studies suggest potential age and gender influences on facial motor control, but robust quantitative data is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a reliable quantitative method for evaluating facial expressions in children and adults.
- To assess the influence of age and gender on facial expression capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Eighty healthy subjects (20 girls, 20 boys, 20 females, 20 males) were video-recorded performing rest, lip pucker, and posed smile expressions.
- Facial distances were digitized and analyzed using specialized software to measure percentage changes from the rest pose.
- Statistical analysis employed a two-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) with gender and age as independent variables.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in facial expression capabilities were observed between age and gender groups.
- Males exhibited greater upward vertical movement capacity than females.
- Females showed a more pronounced horizontal component in posed smiles, and vertical movements increased from childhood to adulthood, particularly in males.
Conclusions:
- A robust quantitative method successfully identified age and gender differences in facial expressions.
- Findings suggest that mimic musculature development influences facial expression capabilities, with distinct patterns emerging in adulthood.
- The study highlights developmental regulation of facial motor control influenced by both age and gender.
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