When You CAN'T Read Their Face

The New York Times today has a wonderful set of features on Moebius Syndrome, which is a form of congenital facial paralysis that renders people unable to move their faces to express emotion.  What does that mean for their ability to read emotion in the faces of others?  How do they express their own?  And why might they be better at detecting falsehood?  Read the article to find out, and be sure to view the audio slideshow narrated by a social worker with Moebius.  They've also included a podcast on the science.

Kim Philby

This is a video of Kim Philby, who at the time of this video was accused of being a spy for the Soviet Union. The "Third Man" refers to a person believed to have tipped off two other British spies so that they escaped arrest by defecting to the USSR.

Watch for the micro-expressions appearing after Philby answers two questions.

Casey Anthony

Watch for the brief almost-smile that appears on Casey Anthony's face as she comes through the door and sees the media waiting for her. After that her face goes blank and she drops her gaze to the floor for a moment before looking ahead again.

What the Facial Action Coding System can tell us here is that she DOES smile for a brief moment. However, is this micro-expression of happiness a sign that she is guilty? Definitely not. Although a smile might seem to be a very odd reaction in this situation, it could be prompted by nervousness, or even fright. Sometimes people do smile when they are nervous (ever seen someone get the giggles at a funeral or other "serious" occasion?).

It's also important to remember that we do not know what she is looking at when she smiles. We know the media is there (you can hear them asking questions), but we do not know who or what else is in her line of sight. The smile could be prompted by something she is seeing, by relief at leaving, by excitement to see all the people waiting for her...the list is endless.

Why is This Man Smiling?

The following picture is from the New York Times - the man is smiling (a real smile, involving the eyes), but those around him are not. What do you think is happening?



A young movie star with his bodyguards stepping onto the red carpet? Or a suspect in international piracy arriving to the US court in manacles?

You may remember one of Amy's video from the workshop showing murder suspect Casey Anthony entering a room, handcuffed, flashing a smile at the reporters and photographers assembled there. Are these the smiles of narcissistic sociopaths delighting in their crimes? Or are we so conditioned to smile at experiencing such strong attention (name called, photos) that we can't help it? Or, is it something else entirely?

Social Smiles

Social Smiles. For a different perspective, try covering the lower half of the face and see what eyes and forehead communicate on their own. Then cover the eyes and just look at the lower half of the face.