Imagine going on a date with an attractive man - we know very well that words only reveal a few percent of people's feelings and thoughts. Therefore, we try to be guided by his behavior, his grimaces, his gestures. But what exactly should we focus on?
Most people consider the face to be the best conductor of emotions. But is this also the opinion of scientists?
According to the authors of a study recently published by Princeton University, the body is the more reliable source of information. A group of volunteers was shown a series of photographs depicting professional tennis players in various situations: losing and winning.
Volunteers had to distinguish one from the other according to the facial expression, judging the positive or negative emotions that the photo reflects. To the surprise of the scientists, very contradictory information was received, that is, the participants in the experiment did not cope with the task, which seemed so simple at first glance.
However, when they were shown the entire photographs - the face and body of the athletes, the answers were quite categorical. Emotions were correctly read. Winners and losers were recognized.
The next phase in the experiment was prepared with computer effects. The body of a winner was combined with the face of the loser in the game, as well as the processed version. In this case, the volunteers responded according to the player's body expression. It turned out that it is more eloquent than the expression on the face.
The scientists' conclusions are as follows: the facial muscles are not such a perfect apparatus for expressing strong feelings. When we experience extremely strong positive or negative emotions, a distortion of facial features occurs, very similar in both cases. Just like over-amplified speakers, the sound becomes distorted and degraded, so we can't distinguish the correct timbre.
With this information in mind, would you approach reading the person in front of you differently?
