Body Language: Differences Between Body Language And Microexpression

Microexpressions Language is key to communication, but people often fall victim to believing someone’s words even when they are untruthful However, in many cases it is possible to pick up deception through an individual’s body language and facial expressions, and people can be trained to perceive microexpressions. Microexpressions can also be utilized when trying to understand a person’s true intent, especially when it comes to lying. Deception can be detected through the analysis of microexpressions. To fully understand the significance microexpressions it is important to distinguish the differences between body language, facial expressions, and microexpressions. Body language is defined as “movements or positions of the body that express
There are universal expressions that can be seen all around the world and within different cultures. Theses universal expressions are the result of some emotion, and because of the similarities in how microexpressions appear in people, it is known that most people react the same way to emotions, and the most common emotional expressions are “happiness, anger, disgust, fear, sadness, surprise and contempt” (HOW I). For example, disgust is often characterized by a wrinkled nose with the upper lip raised, and sadness is expressed by the upper eyelids dropping and the lips going down in the corners (HOW I). Without this similarity in the reactions it would be impossible to use microexpressions to “read” people’s actual emotions. However, it is important to note that there are some differences that can cause these microexpressions to not be accurate indicators of emotions and deception. When an individual avoids eye contact it may be assumed that individual may be lying or hiding something, but in many cultures it is a sign of respect not to look someone in the eyes. With this in mind, it is important to know that microexpressions are not solid evidence, but clues to detecting deception, and should be used in context with the different
With improved video and play back options finding microexpressions has become increasingly easier. Before the use of DVD and High definition analyzing microexpressions was more challenging. “Before this automation was developed, it took up to three hours of playing, rewinding and replaying, videotapes to analyze a single minute of blinks and twitches (BUFFALO). The improvement of technology has helped the understanding of microexpressions. Microexpressions occur so fast that it is often difficult if not impossible to see them in the moment they occur. With film it is possible to slow down and pause certain parts to really get a close look at what the individuals face is doing. Today there are even programs that will detect these facial expressions for an observer, and in return speeds up the