Facial Expression - Universality As Evolutionary Significant

Universality As Evolutionary Significant

Darwin argued that the expression of emotions has evolved in humans from animals, who would have used similar methods of expression. Darwin believed that expressions were unlearned and innate in human nature and were therefore evolutionary significant for survival. Darwin obtained evidence of this through research on different cultures, species and on infants. Cross-cultural studies had shown that there are similarities in the way emotions are expressed across diverse cultures, but studies have even shown that there are similarities between species in how emotions are expressed. Research has shown that chimpanzees are able to communicate many of the same facial expression through the complex movements of the facial muscles. The facial cues were so similar that Ekman’s Facial Action Coding System could be applied to the chimps in evaluating their expressions. Of course, differences between the species physical facial properties, such as white sclera and everted lips in chimps, would mean that some expressions could not be compared. Similarly, Darwin observed that infants’ method of expression not only was similar to those of adults, but seemed to be instinctive, as they were able to display emotional expressions they had not themselves yet witnessed. It is clear that facial morphology may also impact upon expression recognition in important ways and therefore infant facial morphology may also serve some specific communicative function. These similarities in morphology and movement in emotional expression are important for the interpretation of emotions. Darwin was particularly interested in the functions facial expression as evolutionarily important for survival. He looked at the functions of facial expression in terms of the utility of expression in the life on the animal and in terms of specific expressions in species. Darwin deduced that animals were communicating feelings of different emotional states with specific facial expressions. He further concluded that the this communication was important for survival of animals in group-dwelling species; the skill to effectively communicate or interpret another animal’s feelings and behaviors would be a principal trait in naturally fit species.