Abstract
Darwin proposed that smiles with eye constriction (Duchenne smiles) index strong positive emotion in infants, while cry-faces with eye constriction index strong negative emotion. Research has supported Darwin’s proposal with respect to smiling, but there has been little parallel research on cry-faces (open-mouth expressions with lateral lip stretching). To investigate the possibility that eye constriction indexes the affective intensity of positive and negative emotions, we first conducted the Face-to-Face/Still-Face (FFSF) procedure at 6 months. In the FFSF, three minutes of naturalistic infant-parent play interaction (which elicits more smiles than cry-faces) are followed by two minutes in which the parent holds an unresponsive still-face (which elicits more cry-faces than smiles). Consistent with Darwin’s proposal, eye constriction was associated with stronger smiling and with stronger cry-faces. In addition, the proportion of smiles with eye constriction was higher during the positive-emotion eliciting play episode than during the still-face. In parallel, the proportion of cry-faces with eye constriction was higher during the negative-emotion eliciting still-face than during play. These results are consonant with the hypothesis that eye constriction indexes the affective intensity of both positive and negative facial configurations. A preponderance of eye constriction during cry-faces was observed in a second elicitor of intense negative emotion, vaccination injections, at both 6 and 12 months of age. The results support the existence of a Duchenne distress expression that parallels the more well-known Duchenne smile. This suggests that eye constriction–the Duchenne marker–has a systematic association with early facial expressions of intense negative and positive emotion.
Highlights
Following early research by French neurologist Duchenne de Boulogne, Darwin highlighted the role of eye constriction in facial expressions of positive emotion [1,2]
Study 1 In study 1, we examined whether the Duchenne marker, eye constriction, indexes the emotional intensity of both positive and negative infant facial expressions
Study 1 We posited that eye constriction would be differentially distributed with smiles and cry-faces during the FFSF
Summary
Following early research by French neurologist Duchenne de Boulogne, Darwin highlighted the role of eye constriction (orbicularis oculi, pars orbitalis) in facial expressions of positive emotion [1,2]. Subsequent research has confirmed that smiles with eye constriction (Duchenne smiles) are indices of strong positive emotion. In both infants and adults, Duchenne smiles are a more frequent response to positive emotion elicitors–and perceived as more joyful–than other smiles [3,4,5,6,7,8,9]. There have been no simultaneous examinations of the role of infant eye constriction in smiling and cry-face expressions as reactions to experimental elicitors of positive and negative emotion
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
