How do we measure facial expressions?

How do we measure facial expressions? 😀 DSEC Lab volunteer Kate Cullen put together a brief explanation of two methods researchers can use to measure someone’s facial movements. 📐 Although we don’t know for sure what a particular facial movement means (a smile could indicate feelings of joy, but also politeness or sarcasm!), others’ facial expressions are part of the rich social signals that we humans try to interpret as we move around the world. 🎭

You might already know that the DSEC Lab is interested in how we *learn* to use facial expressions to communicate nonverbally with others. We are currently recruiting 10-15 participants for the EXPRESS-1 study, which focuses on just that! 🌟 You can find more information about the study and how to sign up in the link in bio.

#research #YGK #Kingston #developmentalpsychology #emotions

Psychology terms made easy: Nonverbal encoding

Welcome to a new series: Psychology Terms Made Easy! 🙌 We’ll be breaking down the terms we use for concepts we study in the lab. First up: nonverbal encoding! 🎭 Flip through the slides to see an explanation of this concept, and an example of when you would be encountering nonverbal encoding in the real world!

Shout out to Honours student Sarah Robichaud for her work in creating this installment of #PTME! What terms do you want us to tackle next? 😁

What is facial expression analysis and how does it help identify emotions?

In our previous posts, we’ve talked about how facial expressions can be measured using electromyography or automated facial movement coding software. 🖥️ Today, DSEC Lab volunteer Logan Goldring explains how one of those programs works! How do we quantify facial expressions? 📏 Flip through these slides to find out!

📢 Something to note: our lab is currently using this type of software to understand how teenagers and adults express their emotions. 🎭 Visit the link in bio if you are interested in being a participant for this study! 🤝

#research #psychology #developmentalpsychology #emotion #explainittome #YGK #YGKstudies #YGKresearch #YGKfamilies #kingstonON

How do other people know when we're feeling angry or upset?

How do other people know when we're feeling angry or upset? 🎭 Beyond the words we use to communicate, our nonverbal cues (like our facial expression, or the tone of voice we use) can also help others to understand how we are feeling. What we say is only one piece of the puzzle... the way we say something also matters! #nonverbal #communication (Thanks to Daniel Nault & Jay Burns for creating these slides!)

What are nonverbal cues?

If you’ve been following us for a while, you have probably heard us talk about “nonverbal cues”. Have you ever wondered what that meant? 🤔 We in the DSEC Lab are particularly interested in understanding how we use nonverbal cues to express our emotions to others, and to make sense of other people’s emotions. Former directed lab student Rafaela Platkin put this post together to explain what nonverbal cues are, and why they are important! ✨ What questions do YOU have about nonverbal cues? Let us know in the comments below! 👋

Differences between children and adolescents in how accurately they recognize emotions

As we develop, our ability to understand others’ emotional states based on their nonverbal cues continues to grow. 📈 But, it seems that the capacity to interpret facial expressions of emotion develops earlier than the same ability with vocal expressions! Because this skill is still developing throughout adolescence, it might be especially hard for youth to make sense of others’ tone of voice. 🔊

Check out our post to learn more about these findings! (A big shout out to Reem Atallah for creating this post!) Any questions? Leave a comment below! 👇

#research #ygk #developmentalpsychology #psychology #development #adolescence #science