Beyond the basic six, static, and WERID: Exploring the range of emotions conveyed by facial expressions

Abstract

Investigating the range of emotions conveyed through facial expressions has been a central focus of emotion research, yet most studies have concentrated on basic six emotions and static expressions within WEIRD populations. This research extends the scope by investigating how a wider range of emotions can be expressed through both dynamic and static facial expressions in a non-WEIRD context, specifically among Chinese individuals. In Experiment 1, we compiled a list of 536 emotion words based on previous research, from which 28 emotion words were carefully selected based on high typicality, low similarity (N = 61), and frequent association with facial expressions (N = 105). In Experiment 2, 64 Chinese participants posed facial expressions of these emotions, while an additional group of participants (N = 782) rated their perception of these expressions. Our findings revealed that 14 emotions were effectively conveyed through dynamic facial expressions, while 10 emotions were conveyed through static facial expressions. Notably, a dynamic advantage was observed in the recognition of 23 out of the 28 emotions, driven primarily by the dynamic features of the expressions rather than the specific facial configurations unique to dynamic expressions. These findings emphasize the importance of embracing diversity and considering a comprehensive range of dynamic facial expressions from non-WEIRD populations in future studies, ultimately advancing our understanding of emotion expression and perception.