Emotional Recognition of Written Expressions

Emotional Recognition

Recognition of written expressions vs. facial expression of happiness

The expression and recognition of human emotions is universal in all normally functioning human beings (Frank et al. 1993; Elkman 1994). Emotional displays and signs of recognition have also been exhibited by primates, suggesting a possible evolutionary basis for the commonality of facial expression and other displays of emotion found across all known cultures (Kano et al. 2008). Many anthropologists and psychologists have disagreed with these assertions in the past, but increasing evidence drawn from preliterate societies has confirmed the universality of the facial expression of emotion and its recognition (Elkman 1994).

Despite being managed and controlled by every human culture in different ways, the expression of emotion through conscious and unconscious control of facial features, especially the muscles surrounding the mouth and eyes retains a high degree of universality (Elkman 1994). Smiling is one of the most common expressions of emotion, and careful study has shown that different types of smiles are also universal (Frank et al. 1993). Furthermore, observers are able to distinguish between smiles of enjoyment and other types of smiles, showing an acute attention to detail to even the minutest shifts in facial expression (Frank et al. 1993).

Despite the breadth of research already published regarding the universality of emotional recognition through facial expression, this mechanism has not been rigorously compared to other means of emotional recognition. It is possible and even likely that other communications facilitate more efficient emotional recognition in non-laboratory, real-life social settings.

Relationship of Brain to Emotional Recognition

In addition to observed universality in facile expression and recognition of emotion, research has shown many strictures and specialized cells within the brain that allow such mechanisms to take place. Especially important to the recognition of emotional expressions in others are the so-called mirror neurons of the brain (Focquaert et al. 2008; Cheng et al. 2009). These neurons have been observed to activate when subjects view other human beings, especially when the observed figures are involved in emotional or strenuousactivities or are expressing an emotion through facial features and/or body language (Cheng et al., 2009).

It is quite interesting that these mirror neurons have been observed in all parts of the brain known to deal with the processing of emotion and memory. Mirror neurons that are physically corresponding and correlated to neurons that would be involved in creating the emotions observed activate upon observation (Focquaret et al. 2008). That is, when a subject observes someone frowning, mirror neurons in the areas involved with disappointment and/or sadness and the productions of frowns are activated. This suggests a strong relationship between the physical structure of the brain and the universality of emotional expression and recognition.

Differences in mirror neuron structure and placement have also been observed across genders (Cheng et al. 2009). These differences seem to correlate with the observed higher proficiency of females in empathic traits and skills (Cheng et al. 2009). This further emphasizes the anatomical basis in the brain of functioning emotional recognition (Cheng et al. 2009).

Another anatomical feature of the brain to come under recent scrutiny for its role in emotional recognition is the uncinate fasciculus (Fujie et al. 2008). Research into the emotion recognition skills of mild Alzheimer's patients showed microsturctural alterations in the unicnate fasciculus developed before -- and seemed to directly precede -- reductions in memory and cognitive performance as well as emotional recognition in mild Alzheimer's sufferers (Fujie et al. 2008). This renders untenable the previously held belief that Alzheimer's was a purely neural disorder, as well as shedding new light on the specific phenomenon of emotional recognition and the role that the brain's anatomy plays in it (Fujie et al. 2008).

Psychiatric/Neural Basis for Emotional Recognition

As important as the anatomical features of the brain are in the recognition of facially expressed emotions, neurological and psychiatric understandings of the phenomenon are also incredibly useful. Patients suffering from myotonic dystrophy are known to have markedly reduced abilities to recognize and appropriately react to emotional expressions (Winblad et al. 2006). The neurological degeneration caused by this disease has also been found to reduce cognitive abilities pretty much across the board, and the inclusion of emotional recognition in its list of reduced functions suggests a stronger neurological basis for the phenomenon (Winblad et al. 2006). This also suggests a definite relationship between the neurological functions recognized in conscious cognition and the processing of emotional inputs (Winblad et al. 2006).

Much of the information regarding the psychological mechanisms that allow for the phenomenon of emotional recognition via facial features also comes from the study of unhealthy or abnormal cases. Interestingly, in one study involving "average" college students, the existence of primary psychopathic traits was positively correlated with recognition of fearful faces, but seemed to show no effect on the ability to recognize other emotions (Del Gaizo & Falkenbach 2008). This suggests a psychological predisposition to the recognition of certain emotions even when all anatomical and neurological mechanisms are functioning properly. Somewhat paradoxically, another study found that sex offenders were less able to identify frightened, disgusted, or surprised faces when compared to control groups, again without significant impact on their ability to recognize other emotions (Gery et al. 2009). These studies and other similar findings show a clear possibility of the psychological alteration of a phenomenon that has its foundation in the anatomy of the brain and the neurological system.