Do facial expressions signal specific emotions? Judging emotion from the face in context

Author(s): Russell, J. A.

Journal/Book: J Personal Soc Psychol. 1996; 70: 750 First St NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. Amer Psychological Assoc. 205-218.

Abstract: Certain facial expressions have been theorized to be easily recognizable signals of specific emotions. If so, these expressions should override situationally based expectations used by a person in attributing an emotion to another. An alternative account is offered in which the face provides information relevant to emotion but does not signal a specific emotion. Therefore, in specified circumstances, situational rather than facial information was predicted to determine the judged emotion. This prediction was supported in 3 studies-indeed, in each of the 22 cases examined (e.g., a person in a frightening situation but displaying a reported ''facial expression of anger'' was judged as afraid). Situational information was especially influential when it suggested a nonbasic emotion (e.g., a person in a painful situation but displaying a ''facial expression of fear'' was judged as in pain).

Note: Article JA Russell, Univ British Columbia, Dept Psychol, 2136 W Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada

Keyword(s): BASIC EMOTIONS; INFORMATION; JUDGMENT

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