SIX BASIC FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

Raised eyebrows or a shake of the head can mean different things in different parts of the world. But six expressions on your face can be understood everywhere.

The first two universal facial expressions are JOY...		...and SORROW
What are the other expressions understood everywhere?
Fear		Anger
Surprise		Disgust
Joy and sadness, together with fear and anger are the four most basic human emotions. Surprise and disgust may be secondary, but they're recognised by everyone.

The facial expressions may be mite exaggerated here. Even, heaven forbid, not totally accurate!

All the same, these 'six basic facial expressions' are taken from well accepted research by the anthropologist Paul Ekman. There may be small inherited differences, but we all know these six expressions. We can usually sense if someone is trying to fake them. The genuine versions are not under conscious control.

THE SILENT COMMUNICATION

Body language - and in particular, 'face language', communicates more powerfully than words. Messages pass between us silently - and for the most part, we don't even know they're there.

Have you ever caught yourself smiling, frowning or even making gestures with your hands while you're talking on the phone? The person you're talking to can't see you, but you do it anyway. In fact it's quite hard to talk with a completely expressionless face.

The illusion of talking face to face on the phone can actually be quite dangerous when you're driving.

Until video phones become universal - if they do - body language is missing on the phone. You're even more disembodied on the internet, because you can't even use the sound of your voice. It's the same if you're writing a letter or sending an email.

Hence the rise of emoticons on the net. :o) Emoticons and smileys are reassuringly cartoony and can help to get a feeling across when words might be misunderstood.

You'd be surprised how easy it is to draw facial expressions - whether for cartoons, symbols, emoticons or fun. It's revealing too. Find out why a sad emoticon doesn't really look like a sad face. Make an angry face (if you must). Cheer yourself up with a smiley.