Laterality of facial expressions of emotion: Universal and culture-specific influences

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Mandal, Manas K. | Ambady, Nalini

Affiliations: Indian Institute of Technology – Kharagpur, India | Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author: Manas K. Mandal, Department of Humanities & Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur – 721302, India. E-mail: mkm@hss.iitkgp.ernet.in

Abstract: Recent research indicates that (a) the perception and expression of facial emotion are lateralized to a great extent in the right hemisphere, and, (b) whereas facial expressions of emotion embody universal signals, culture-specific learning moderates the expression and interpretation of these emotions. In the present article, we review the literature on laterality and universality, and propose that, although some components of facial expressions of emotion are governed biologically, others are culturally influenced. We suggest that the left side of the face is more expressive of emotions, is more uninhibited, and displays culture-specific emotional norms. The right side of face, on the other hand, is less susceptible to cultural display norms and exhibits more universal emotional signals.

Journal: Behavioural Neurology, vol. 15, no. 1-2, pp. 23-34, 2004