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Facial Expressions Are "Not Global"

Posted by kdawson on from the look-me-in-the-mouth dept.

An anonymous reader sends in a BBC report on new research out of Glasgow University, which detected differences in how facial expressions are read between Westerners and East Asians. Using eye tracking, the researchers determined that "people from different cultural groups observe different parts of the face when interpreting expression. East Asians participants tended to focus on the eyes of the other person, while Western subjects took in the whole face, including the eyes and the mouth." Interestingly, the researchers point out that the emoticons used online by the two groups reflect this difference.

5 of 137 comments (clear)

  1. Interesting by sakdoctor · · Score: 4, Funny

    ^_^

    1. Re:Interesting by Canazza · · Score: 4, Funny

      Cross Culture: (.)(.)

      --
      It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for being subtle.
    2. Re:Interesting by gardyloo · · Score: 3, Funny

      Why are those eyes downcast?

    3. Re:Interesting by Altus · · Score: 4, Funny

      Gravity

      --

      "In America, first you get the sugar, then you get the power, then you get the women..." -H. Simpson

  2. A difference, you say? by Wireless+Joe · · Score: 5, Funny

    At first I was (:^O)

    but then I \(^o^)/