Microexpressions are very brief facial movements, often discussed in connection with emotion. Noticing one does not establish what someone feels, why the movement happened, or whether the person is lying. In a date or interview, context and a clear follow-up question are more useful than an instant diagnosis.
Key takeaways
- Microexpressions are very brief facial movements. Noticing one does not establish what a person feels, why the movement happened, or whether they are lying.
- Popular frameworks list expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, disgust, and contempt, but a major review found facial movements do not consistently map onto specific emotions.
- Separate the observation from your interpretation, and use a clear follow-up question instead of an instant diagnosis.
Your date raises an eyebrow just as you mention your weekend plans. You could spend the next ten minutes deciding what it meant. You could also ask whether they have tried the same activity.
What people mean by the seven microexpressions
Paul Ekman’s popular framework discusses facial expressions associated with happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, disgust, and contempt. The term “microexpression” refers to brevity; it does not mean every expression in those categories is a microexpression. See the Paul Ekman Group explanation.
These categories are often presented online as a universal decoding guide. That presentation leaves out a substantial scientific debate. A major review led by Lisa Feldman Barrett found that facial movements do not consistently map onto particular emotions across people and situations. Read the review.
Separate the movement from your interpretation
“Their eyebrows moved” is an observation. “They disapprove of me” adds a conclusion. You may eventually learn that the person was surprised, confused, distracted, or reacting to something else in the room.
The same distinction applies when you watch yourself on video. A paused frame can capture a movement you would barely notice in conversation. It offers very little basis for judging how the entire exchange went.
On a date ask about the conversation
If someone becomes quieter after a topic changes, avoid trying to identify a hidden emotion from a single expression. Give the person room to respond. You might say, “How do you feel about that?” or move to a different topic if the conversation seems to have stalled.
A smile or a brief glance also cannot establish romantic interest or consent. If you want to know whether someone would like another date, ask. The first date guide includes a simple way to do that.
In an interview check understanding
An interviewer may frown while reading notes or thinking through an example. Continue your answer at a comfortable pace. If you are unsure whether you addressed the question, try, “Would it help if I explained my part in more detail?”
That gives the interviewer something useful to answer. It also keeps you focused on the evidence you came to discuss.
Can a selfie show microexpressions
A still image cannot show how a facial movement unfolds over time. FaceMyth offers interpretations of first impressions from visible facial cues. A result should be read as a possible impression, rather than evidence of hidden emotions or deception.
If you are curious about the impression your own face can create, start with the free preview and consider what feels useful in your everyday interactions.
For another commonly misunderstood cue, read what a smile can tell you.
Frequently asked questions
What are the seven microexpressions?
Paul Ekman’s popular framework discusses facial expressions associated with happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, disgust, and contempt. The term microexpression refers to brevity; it does not mean every expression in those categories is a microexpression.
Can microexpressions tell if someone is lying?
Noticing a brief facial movement does not establish deception. The person may have been surprised, confused, distracted, or reacting to something else in the room. Context and a clear follow-up question are more useful than an instant read.
Can a selfie show microexpressions?
A still image cannot show how a facial movement unfolds over time. FaceMyth offers interpretations of first impressions from visible facial cues, which should be read as a possible impression rather than evidence of hidden emotions or deception.