Face body language
Techniques
> Use of body language >
Parts-of-the-body language > Face body
language
Color |
Moisture | Emotions | See also
The face has around 90 muscles in it, with about 30 of these purely for
expressing emotion. It can thus be used to send many non-verbal signals, using
its various features in concert.
Color
Red
A generally red face may indicate that the person is hot as the blood come to
the to surface to be cooled. They may heat up either from exercise or emotional
arousal, for example when they are excited and energized.
A red face is typical of a person who is angry. This is a clear danger
signal, warning the other person that they may be harmed if they do not back
down.
People blush with embarrassment in various ways. Some people's neck goes red.
With others it is mostly the cheeks. Sometimes the whole face goes red.
White
White skin may be a sign of coldness as the blood goes deep to avoid cooling
further.
White skin is also an indication of fear, often extreme. This happens as the
blood abandons a surface that might be cut, going to muscles where its power is
needed more.
Blue
The skin can also take on a bluish tinge. This can also indicate coldness or
extreme fear.
Moisture
Sweating is the body's natural cooling mechanism when it gets hot, possibly
from excitement and emotional arousal.
Sweat is also associated with fear, perhaps to make the skin slippery and
hence prevent an opponent from taking a firm grasp.
Emotions
Here are some of the facial signals that you might see for different
emotions. Do note that these are only possible indicators: not all signals are
needed and not all signals indicated here necessarily indicate the associated
emotion.
| Emotion |
Facial signals |
| Anxiety |
Eyes damp;
eyebrows slightly pushed together;
trembling lower lip;
chin possibly wrinkled;
head slightly tilted down. |
| Fear |
Eyes wide, closed or pointing
down; raised eyebrows;
mouth open or corners turned down;
chin pulled in;
head down, white face. |
| Anger |
Eyes wide and staring;
eyebrows pulled down (especially
in middle); wrinkled forehead; flared
nostrils; mouth flattened or
clenched teeth bared; jutting
chin, red face. |
| Happiness |
Mouth smiling (open or closed);
possible laughter; crows-feet wrinkles at sides of sparkling
eyes; slightly raised
eyebrows;
head level. |
| Sadness |
Eyes cast down and possibly damp
or tearful; head down;
lips pinched;
head down or to the side. |
| Envy |
Eyes staring;
mouth corners turned down;
nose turned in sneer;
chin jutting. |
| Desire |
Eyes wide open with dilated
pupils; slightly raised eyebrows;
lips slightly parted or puckered or
smiling; head tilted forward. |
| Interest |
Steady gaze of eyes at item of
interest (may be squinting); slightly raised
eyebrows;
lips slightly pressed together;
head erect or pushed forward. |
| Boredom |
Eyes looking away; face generally
immobile; corners of mouth turned
down or lips pulled to the side; head
propped up with hand. |
| Surprise |
Eyes wide open;
eyebrows raised high;
mouth dropped wide open with
consequent lowered chin;
head held back or tilted to side. |
| Relief |
Eyebrows tilted outwards
(lowered outer edges); mouth either
tilted down or smiling; head tilted. |
| Disgust |
Eyes and
head turned away;
nostrils flared;
nose twisted in sneer;
mouth closed, possibly with
tongue protruding;
chin jutting. |
| Shame |
Eyes and
head turned down;
eyebrows held low; skin blushing
red. |
| Pity |
Eyes in extended gaze and
possibly damp; eyebrows slightly
pulled together in middle or downwards at edges;
mouth turned down at corners;
head tilted to side. |
See also
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