Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 4, 2026
08:15
Reverse Dissection and DiceCT Reveal Otherwise Hidden Data in the Evolution of the Primate Face
Published on: January 7, 2019
7.4K
Facial mimicry in its social setting
Beate Seibt1, Andreas Mühlberger2, Katja U Likowski3
1Department of Psychology, University of Oslo Oslo, Norway ; Centro de Investigação e Intervenção Social, ISCTE - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa Lisboa, Portugal.
Frontiers in Psychology
|September 1, 2015
Summary
Facial mimicry, or mirroring emotional expressions, is not automatic. Social context, individual differences, and relationships significantly influence whether and how people mimic facial expressions.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Nonverbal Communication
- Emotional Expression
Background:
- Individuals often mirror the facial expressions of others during interpersonal interactions, a phenomenon termed facial mimicry.
- Early views suggested facial mimicry was an automatic response, but recent evidence indicates it is context-dependent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence on how situational, personal, and relational factors moderate facial mimicry.
- To understand the meaning of facial responses within specific social contexts.
- To propose future research directions focusing on real-world interactions and mediators of mimicry.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing existing research on facial mimicry.
- Analysis of factors moderating congruent facial behavior in response to emotional expressions.
Main Results:
- Facial mimicry is significantly modulated by factors such as attention, emotional valence detection, personal feelings, and social motivations.
- Contextual elements, individual characteristics, and relationship dynamics jointly determine the occurrence and type of facial mimicry.
Conclusions:
- Facial mimicry is a flexible, socially modulated behavior rather than a purely automatic response.
- Attention, emotional processing, and social motives are proximal causes influencing facial mimicry within social settings.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Nonconscious Mimicry
5.2K
Nonconscious mimicry occurs when individuals alter their mannerisms to match the behaviors and expressions of those nearby, without intention.
5.2K
01:24Facial Feedback Hypothesis
858
Charles Darwin proposed that facial expressions are an evolutionary adaptation for communication. He argued that these expressions are not influenced by culture but are universal across species. For example, a snarling expression with exposed teeth signals a threat in many animals, including humans. Darwin also suggested that displaying an emotion can intensify the feeling. Smiling, for example, could enhance one's sense of happiness. This idea laid the foundation for understanding the role...
858
01:14Muscles for Facial Expressions
5.7K
The craniofacial muscles are a collection of approximately 20 thin skeletal muscles situated beneath the skin of the face and scalp. These muscles, primarily responsible for the vast array of human facial expressions, originate from the bones or fibrous structures of the skull and extend outwards to connect with the skin. While most skeletal muscles in the body are enveloped in thick fascia, facial muscles generally have a more delicate fascial covering, with the buccinator muscle being a...
5.7K
01:30Causes of Social Behavior I: Actions and Characteristics of Individuals
435
The actions and characteristics of others heavily influence the causes of social behaviors. Emotional expressions serve as powerful social signals, shaping behaviors and interactions in significant ways. Whether through direct observation or subconscious processing, individuals constantly adjust their responses based on the emotions and attributes of those around them.Emotional Cues and Social ResponsesFacial expressions, tone of voice, and body language provide crucial emotional cues that...
435
01:29Impression Management Techniques I: Managing Appearances
286
Appearance is a multidimensional aspect of self-presentation that encompasses observable attributes such as clothing, grooming, speech, and nonverbal behavior. These elements are often strategically managed to align with socially constructed expectations in different settings. For instance, individuals tailor their appearance during job interviews, social gatherings, or athletic events to meet the perceived norms of those environments.Contextual Adaptation and Social SignalsThe research...
286
01:04Social Facilitation
36.8K
Not all intergroup interactions lead to negative outcomes. Sometimes, being in a group situation can improve performance. Social facilitation occurs when an individual performs better when an audience is watching than when the individual performs the behavior alone. This typically occurs when people are performing a task for which they are skilled.
36.8K