Cultural Emotions

The article is written by Paul Ekman, and explains how micro-expressions came from Charles Darwin in their earliest forms, and the cultural differences that are shown in the expressions of our faces.
Micro expression are on all of the faces around the world. Charles Darwin came up the idea that different cultures have different expressions. In an experiment it was discovered that all expressions are the same.
In one test, I told them a story and showed them three photographs of human faces, then asked them to pick the one with the facial expression that best suited the story. The stories were simple: friends had come, or they were about to fight. With each story I gave them a different set of three pictures to choose from. The pictures always included the expression that western participants would choose, and two others. So, for example, for the story in which someone was about to fight, they had to decide between an "angry face", a "disgusted face" and a "sad face".(Ekman)

When using micro expressions in a police force or security it would be important to know that all people show the same expressions and they all mean the same thing. Paul Ekman discovered that no matter what age or ethnic group from a round the world we all show the same expressions. Except when an authority figure comes into the room. Ekman did an experiment and made a group of people some American and some Japanise, they all watched a movie and showed the same expressions. Half way through, a man came in and watched with them. The American didn’t change anything about their expressions but the Japanese tried to hide them. This could be because of the way their country is.

Ekman, Paul. "Happy, sad, angry, discusted.." 3 Apr 2009 .

How to Spot a Liar

An article by Jeffery Kluger about lying and how to spot a liar. Kluger talks about the new technology being invented to help prevent another nine eleven attack from occurring.
Ever wondered if the nine eleven terrorist could have been stopped if someone could have read their mind or face?
Quietly over the past five years, Department of Defense agencies and the Department of Homeland Security have dramatically stepped up the hunt. Though the exact figures are concealed in the classified "black budget," tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars are believed to have been poured into lie-detection techniques as diverse as infrared imagers to study the eyes, scanners to peer into t he brain, sensors to spot liars from a distance, and analysts trained to scrutinize t he unconscious facial flutters that often accompany a falsehood. ( Kluger)

If our police men and airport security knew what people were thinking as they were about to attack a person or crash a plane just by reading their emotions, the world would be a safer place. Or would it? When getting the gift of being able to read people expressions and true feelings off their face, would someone be driven mad by knowing that their significant other was cheating on them and they could tell by reading there micro expressions. If teachers knew whether their students cheated or actually did their homework. Would being able to read one’s true thoughts cause a person to go mentally insane and get back at the people who lied to them? Once you have the gift it doesn’t go away, you will have it forever .

Kluger, Jeffrey. "How to Spot a Liar." 3 Apr 2009 .

Reading a Face

Reading A Face

An article in the Chicago Tribune written by Leslie Mann, she talks about Micro expression use in everyday life of people and how people with disorders may be able to read them better than others.
When someone tries to cover up a lie they unconsciously use micro expressions to tell how they really feel. “For example, when a criminal is asked if he committed a crime, he has a fearful micro expression but puts on a happy face when he says he didn’t commit the crime. People who are very good judges of character pick up on this, but everyone cannot.” (Mann) It is said that people with disorders can pick up on micro expression more easily than normal people. For example people with anxiety disorders are very sensitive to micro expressions. As well as people who might have phobias or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD ) (Mann ). A person’s social factor is what causes a person to display the emotions they want to but when an involuntary micro expression comes along it can give off some clue to the surrounding people what that person may be really try to say or really what they might be trying not to say.

Mann, Leslie. "Reading a face comes down to micro expressions." 3 Apr 2009 .
17/20

Lie to Me* Script

Lie to Me*
*The Truth is written all over our faces.
Season 2
Episode 4- Love, Lust, Death

INT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY, BOY AND GIRL WALKING AND HOLDING HANDS—AFTERNOON.
Mike
Will I see you after school today?

Robbin
No, I have a project to work on. I will text you when I
get home.
Mike
(Smiles)
Okay. I love you.
Robbin
(Hesitating)
I love you too.

INT. BELL RINGS, SCHOOLS OUT. MIKE SEES ROBBIN NOT GOING TO WORK ON HER PROJECT. HE FOLLOWS HER. ROBBIN ENTERS CLASSROOM. MIKE WATCHES TROUGH WINDOW.
Robbin
Mr. Gainix?

Mr. Gainix
Hello, Robbin. How was your day? (Robbin kisses on cheek)
Not at school, someone might see.

Robbin
(Throws herself on to Mr. Gainix)
I don’t care.

INT. SHOW INTRODUCTION, BEGINnING CREDITS.

IN PRINCIPLAL’S OFFICE, MR. GREEK AND MR. LIGHTMAN.

Dr. Lightman
Was there anyone who was close to Mr. Gainix in the school?
Mr. Greek
He and Miss. Jared are good friends; she might be able to help
you find who you are looking for.

INT. MR.LIGHTMAN AT MISS.JAREDS CLASSROOM. LIGHTMANS TEAM VIDEOS.

Dr.Lightman
Do you mind if I speak with you Miss. Jared?

Miss. Jared
No, come in.

Dr.Lightman
Did you have any relations with Mr. Gainix?

Miss. Jared
Yes, we dated for a week or two then he just told me that
he wasn’t interested in me.

Dr. Lightman
Had he been acting funny in any way the past weeks?

Miss. Jared
Yes, I saw him in his classroom the other day, after school,
with a girl. I would say she was a student but I only saw the
back of her head.

Dr.Lightman
Was she one of his students?

Miss. Jared
I would think so. He is close to his students though,
he says it helps them to learn from someone they know.

Dr. Lightman
We need to interview all of his students. Thank you Miss. Jared.

INT. DARK ROOM IN LIBRARY. TABLE INBTWEEN LIGHTMAN AND STUDENTS ENTER ONE AFTER ANOTHER. TEAM IS VIDEOING ALL INTERVIEWS FOR LATER REFERANCE.

Dr. Lightman
Hello. What is your name?

Addie
My name is Addie.

Dr.Lightman
Do you know any useful information about Mr.Gainix’s
relationships with students?

Addie
(Wrinkles nose)
No

Dr.Lightman
Are you sure? Because your expression says otherwise.

Addie
I don’t know anything. I am just upset over Mr.Gainix’s death.

Dr.Lightman
Okay. Thank you, you may go back to class.
(To team)
She knows something, get her friends.

INT. ROBBIN AND MIKE ARE WAITING IN LINE TO GET INTERVIEWD. ROBBIN GOES IN, MIKE GIVES AND

EVIL LOOK.

Dr. Foster
Dr. Lightman will be with you in a moment.

DR. FOSTER LEAVES. ROBBIN IS LEFT ALONE. SHE PLACES HANDS BY MOUTH, FINGERS OVER LIPS.

LIGHTMAN IS OUTSIDE THE ROOM TALKING TO FOSTER.

Dr. Lightman
Do you see that?

Dr.Foster
She is hushing herself. Deciding what to tell us and
what not to tell us. She knows something.

Dr. Lightman
And I’m going to find out.

INT. LIGHTMAN, SIT DOWN AT TABLE AND ASK QUESTIONS. VIDEO ON.

Dr. Lightman
Hello. What is your name?

Robin
Robin.

Dr. Lightman
Were you and Mr.Gainix close?
Robin
(turns corners of mouth down)
He was close to all of his students.

Dr. Lightman
He was especially close to you wasn’t he?

Robin
We had a connection. He said I was unlike any of
his other students.

Dr. Lightman
Do you have a boyfriend that is a student?

Robin
(Shaking head)
Yes, but he didn’t know about our relationship and he
wouldn’t have killed him if he did .

Dr. Lightman
Please send him in, you are free to go.

MIKE ENTERS. GIVES A MEAN LOOK TO ROBIN AS SHE LEAVES.

Dr. Lightman
Hello, what is your name?

Mike
Mike.

Dr. Lightman
The girl that just left, Robin, she is your girlfriend correct?

Mike.
(Wrinkles nose)
Yes.

Dr. Lightman
Have you two gotten into a fight lately?

Mike
No, why?

Dr.Lightman
Because you just showed disgust when asked about
your relationship. Something must have happened.

Mike.
Well it didn’t. What does this have to do with Mr. Gainix’s death?
Dr. Lightman
Everything. Just tell me why you are disgusted with Robin
and you can go back to class.

Mike
Mr. Gainix and Robin got close; I got jealous and told Robin
she needed to watch out before it turned into
something serious.

Dr. Lightman
We will need you to come with us. Eli we are going to
need to talk to his parents.

LEAVE ROOM, MIKE LOOKS AT ROBIN WHO IS TALKING TO ADDIE IN THE HALLWAY.

COMMERCIAL BREAK.

INT. IN MIKES HOUSE. LIGHTMAN AND TEAM TALK TO PARENTS.

Dr. Lightman
Did you know about your son’s girlfriend’s involvement with
Mr. Gainix?

Mrs. Burke
I had no clue. Honey, did you?

Mr. Burke
(surprised)
No, I am appalled. Robin is such a nice girl.

Dr. Lightman
Mr. Burke, I am going to need to talk to your wife alone.

Mr. Burke
Why?

Dr. Lightman
Because when I asked if you knew about Robin, you
looked surprised and she wasn’t.

Mrs. Burke
(eyebrows pulled up and together)
You don’t think Mike killed Mr. Gainix do you?

Dr. Lightman
He is our prime suspect.

Mrs. Burke
(Shaking head)
My son wouldn’t kill anyone he is such a
good Christian boy.

Dr. Lightman
I am sure he is but what do you know about your son
and Robin’s relationship?

Mrs. Burke
They were happy until this year, when she meet
Mr. Gainix. She would find ways to stay after
school to see him. Mike got tired of her acting
like they weren’t dating and spending so much
time with Mr. Gainix.

Dr. Lightman
Did he ever plan to attack Mr. Gainix?

Mrs. Burke
(crying)
No, he was a good boy. He was just in so much
pain. She was hurting him. He loves her so much.

Dr. Lightman
Did he kill Mr. Gainix?

Mrs. Burke
No, I did. I just went to talk to him and he got angry,
and pushed me so I pushed him back. I didn’t mean
for him to fall out the window.

POLICE MEN STEP FORWARD AS IF TO ARREST.
Dr. Lightman
Mrs. Burke, I know what it’s like as a parent to
Want to protect your kid. What he has done can’t
be protected.

Mrs. Burke
I told you I killed him not Mike.

Dr. Lightman
You didn’t kill him. Your son did. You showed fear ,
for your son, and disbelief in everything you said about
how you killed Mr. Gainix.

AT JAIL, LIGHTMAN IS LOOKING THROUGH BARS TALKING TO MIKE.

Dr. Lightman
Tell me why you killed Mr. Gainix and how it happened?

Mike
I was jealous of how much time Robin was spending with
Him, she was my girlfriend and I loved her, I gave her everything
,she was my everything. And as far as how I killed him…
I just simply went to talk to him about it asking him to
Leave Robin alone. He told me it was not my decision,
it was hers and that he loved her. He said that if I really
loved her, I would let her make the decision to say with
me or go with him. This made me mad so I told him
that he had to leave her alone or I would go to the school
board. This made Mr. Gainix mad and he told me I was not
to talk about this to anyone and get out of their relationship.
So, I picked up the soda bottle on his desk and hit him with it.
I didn’t know it killed him, I though it just knocked him out. I drug
his body to outside the window to make it look like he had fallen.
When I punched the glass to make it look like where he had fallen , some of the glass fell and cut his throat.


Dr. Lightman
Now that’s the truth.

ENDING CREDITS.

Interview

I interviewed Mark Frank and he answered some questions that helped me understand more about how expressions work. Mark Frank has “a BA in Psychology from University at Buffalo, and a PhD (doctorate) in Social and Personality Psychology from Cornell University, and I did post-doctoral training at the University of California, San Francisco Medical School Psychiatry Department. ( Frank)” It is really neat the he was just a regular guy, who worked at a bar and discovered that he liked facial expressions and emotions. I found Mark by going to the show Lie to Me's website, where they had a list of people who inspired and helped with the show. I enjoyed talking to him and now I am thinking of majoring in Social and Personality Psychology, this will help me with my research project by wanting to actually learn how to read peoples expressions and about the subject.

Questions:
1. Where are you from?
Buffalo, NY

2.What got you started in emotions and expressions?
I used to be a bouncer in a bar, and thought I could read who was under age and who was trouble based upon their behavior. So when I got to graduate school, I decided to study it like a proper scientist.

3. Can you read a persons expression and emotions?
Yes, and most of us can without any formal training – it is wired in our brains. We can all detect the expressions of anger, contempt, disgust, fear, happy, sad, and surprise. The hard part is reading the very subtle signs – like when people are trying to conceal their feelings.

4.If so, do you feel it has changed your life in anyway?
Yes, continually. But in my laboratory we can examine expression and emotion in more detail than we can in our day to day life, as when we interact with friends and family.

5. If answer to question 3 is yes, can you tell when people are lying?
Yes, but not perfectly. No one can detect lies perfectly. The best people on the planet can only do it at around 80-85%.

6.If so, do you feel that it is a bad thing to be able to tell when someone is lying to or deceiving you,ect,?
No, it can be a good thing. In fact, we want our law enforcement people to be able to do this to make us safe. We also want to know this in our daily life, if a salesperson is trying to sell us something they know doesn’t work. There are some situations in life though – like when being polite – where we don’t want to know (if we have a blemish on our face, we don’t want our friends to point it out or say it makes us look horrible even if it does for that day…).

7. What degrees do you have in this subject?
I have a BA in Psychology from University at Buffalo, and a PhD (doctorate) in Social and Personality Psychology from Cornell University, and I did post-doctoral training at the University of California, San Francisco Medical School Psychiatry Department. .

8.In what way does a persons emotions link to their expressions (what makes our faces respond to emotion in the way they does)?
The part of the brain that generates emotions (somewhere in the middle, beneath the cortex, that is, the outer, more ‘noodley looking’ part) also sends a signal to your face. You learn, through family upbringing, and culture, to control that expression when appropriate. So, as a child you may have cried when upset. But boys learn that crying is not so masculine in the USA, so they learn to control their expressions of sadness. Girls in the USA, however, learn that it is OK to cry, so they cry more easily than boys. But both girls and boys do feel sadness and the urge to cry, just boys grow up practicing their suppression of the expression more than girls do.

9.Can anyone really hide all of their emotions?
If the emotions are weak, they can. If the emotions are very strong, probably not.

10.Do you use your studies in everyday life (reading peoples emotions and expressions)?
Yes. My children are scared to death! ;)

Universial Expressions. Source # 1

http://www.fox.com/fod/play.php?sh=lietome

The video is an introduction to micro and macro expressions, based on the study done by Paul Ekman, Ph.D. The video includes Samuel Baun, Paul Ekman and Enka Rosenberg talking about expressions and how they are read off ones face to determine their consoled feelings.
There are two kinds of universal expressions, micro expressions and macro expressions. A facial expression is a split second expression hiding ones true feelings. A macro expression is the normal expression and last from two to five seconds. A micro expression last less than one twenty-fifths of a second.” The seven universal emotions are anger, contempt, fear, discuss, happiness, sadness and surprise (Universal Expressions).” For example the emotion sadness is represented when the eyebrows go up and together. Contempt is shown by a slight snarl of the upper lip. It is discovered that humans make over 10,000 expressions where 3,000 are related to or caused by emotion. When having a normal everyday conversation we use from fifty to sixty micro or macro expressions. If one were to use a freeze frame or pause button a micro expression would look the same as a macro expression just the micro expression is so short one may not notice that it is being made unless one knows what they are looking for. My big question I want to answer for this project is “ Do you really want to know the emotion that people want to console from you, ‘cause once you got it you cannot turn it off (Ekman, Universal Expressions).”