Nonverbal Displays of Emotion

Cues

• Complex combinations
• Vocal and facial cues are generally more important, but there are also activity, context, and body cues
• Vocal cues:  loudness, speed, amount (talkative/quiet)
• Facial cues:  eye gaze, smiling, lip and eyebrow movement, rolled or puffy eyes
• Activity cues:  solitary activities (going for a walk), eating, drinking, smoking, throwing up, interpersonal activities (kissing, hugging, tickling, hitting, touching)
• Context cues:  “episode”, not enough alone but provides background
• Body cues:  fists, walking style (heavy/light), arm movement

Happiness/Joy

• Typical Behavior Cues (facial): laughing, smiling, talking enthusiastically
• Smiling is a social behavior – more likely in the presence of others
• Joy is portrayed as energetic, active and bouncy
• Happy people are viewed as more attractive and popular

Pride

• Typical Behavior Cues: Standing upright or taller (look larger), celebratory gestures (high five), broad smile

• Rules for communicating pride?

Anger

• Typical Behavior Cues: facial expression, angry tones of voice, breaking things, slamming doors, threatening gestures, staring
• Overall tense body is often a leak.

Fear and Anxiety

• Typical Fear Behavior Cues: screaming, crying, pleading, run/hide, freeze
• Typical Anxiety Behavior Cues: pauses in speech, remaining silent, decreased eye contact
• Anxiety is seen as negative in society and this often results in increasing problem of communication apprehension.

Sadness and Depression

• Typical Depression Behavior Cues: immobilization, solitude, dependent behavior
• Typical Sadness Behavior Cues: frowning facial expression, crying, whimpering, slouching, moping, monotone voice
• Efforts of face saving may result in withdrawal from social contact.

Shame and Embarrassment

• Typical Shame Behavior Cues: face hiding, gaze aversion, face in one’s hands, slouching, head lowering,
• Typical Embarrassment Behavior Cues: reductions in eye contact, silly smiles, nervous laughter, blushing, head turns, head down positions, facial blocking, leave taking behavior
• Results in avoidance