By Dr. Kathleen Bogart, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Oregon State University Facial expressions are important parts of how we communicate and how we develop impressions of the people around us. In “The Expression of Emotion in Man and Animals,” Charles Darwin proposed that facial expressions evolved to quickly communicate emotional states important to social survival.…
Read MoreLiving with Moebius Syndrome
As we enter the New Year, it is time to prepare for Moebius Syndrome Awareness Day on January 24. While often ignored, a better understanding of this rare condition can lead to a better understanding of facial expressions – and the people who cannot show them. Moebius syndrome is characterized by a craniofacial/neurological disorder that…
Read MoreMapping Emotions in the Body
Feelings are often associated with physical reactions: terror can send chills down your spine, and love can leave you weak in the knees. A recent study has linked specific emotions to physical sensations. Researchers tested emotional responses in hundreds of subjects and then created maps identifying locations in the body where emotions cause physical changes.…
Read MoreThe Power of Nonverbal Behavior in Election Outcomes
“A politician is someone who can tell you to go to hell in a way that makes you look forward to the trip.” Along my travels around this country and around the world I came along the quote above and it has always stuck in my mind. Now with the crazy 2016 presidential election winding…
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