Our face contains 43 muscles that create more than 10,000 unique expressions. In conversations, we often focus on a person’s facial expression. However, is the expression consistent with what the person is saying and thinking? Thanks to microexpressions, the answer might be challenging.
What are microexpressions, first?
Microexpressions are a fascinating component of human communication. According to renowned psychologist Paul Ekman, microexpressions are short-term facial expressions that occur in a fraction of a second. They are so short, within 1/25 of a second, that they often escape conscious detection.
The concept of microexpressions was first introduced in the 1960s by researchers Haggard and Isaacs. They noticed that these quick facial movements can reveal a person’s true feelings, even when trying to hide them.
In recent years, the concept has been further refined. Armindo Freitas-Magalhães, a Portuguese psychologist and the founder and director of the FACE – Center of Excellence in Brain, Face, and Emotion at UFP Medical School, coined the term “neuromicroexpression” in 2019.
In a conversation with Interesting Engineering , Freitas-Magalhães explained, “While microexpressions refer to short and involuntary facial expressions that reveal real emotions, neuromicroexpressions emphasize that these expressions are directly controlled by neurological impulses linked to areas of the brain responsible for emotional processing, such as the limbic system.”
Hidden emotions and revealing hidden intentions
Microexpressions are associated with Ekman’s seven basic emotions: happiness, sadness, fear, disgust, anger, surprise, and contempt. Reading them requires training and practice, and using microexpressions with other forms of communication is essential.
Galina Paramei , a Professor of Psychology at Liverpool Hope University, UK, explains that facial expressions communicate one’s intentions to others and interpret others’ feelings and actions. When decoding a facial expression, paying attention to the diagnostic facial features of the specific displayed emotion is important.
According to Paramei, microexpressions are rapid, fleeting, and subtle (low in intensity) facial expressions. Therefore, they are involuntary or uncontrollable, so they “betray” one’s feelings and thoughts that a person intends to disguise or hide. Moreover, Paramei noted that microexpressions are measured using electromyography or recordings of facial muscle contractions in a lab. To decode and correctly interpret microexpressions, one requires training / acquiring expertise to develop heightened observational skills – to detect, track, and recognize specific spatiotemporal information, features, and cues in a specified area(s) of the face.
“To my knowledge, such training is undertaken by security forces to identify, say, at airports potential terrorists or to detect deception. In clinical/psychotherapeutic practice, the ability to decode microexpressions helps to correctly recognize patient’s/client’s manifestations of depression and mental health problems,” concluded Paramei.
Is there a layer deeper than microexpressions?
Hormones and lifestyle factors can influence microexpressions. Lennart Högman , an Assistant Professor at Stockholm University, told Interesting Engineering that hormonal fluctuations, impacted by diet or stress, affect the brain areas responsible for emotional processing. These brain regions control involuntary and reflexive expressions and more consciously regulated facial movements.
According to him, microexpressions are difficult to suppress because they originate in lower brain systems, and lifestyle factors that alter our emotional baseline can shape their frequency or intensity.
Freitas-Magalhães highlighted the influence of hormones and lifestyle factors on neuromicroexpressions. Stress hormones like cortisol can increase expressions of tension, anger, or anxiety while mood-regulating hormones such as serotonin and dopamine influence more positive expressions. Testosterone and estrogen also affect how assertive or encouraging emotions manifest.
“Our lifestyle, work environment, and daily habits profoundly affect the frequency and intensity of microexpressions,” Freitas-Magalhães added.
Did I lie, or did you make me nervous?
Microexpression interest reached popular culture through the TV series Lie to Me. The main character, Dr. Cal Lightman, is inspired by Dr. Paul Ekman, who served as the show’s scientific advisor. Dr. Ekman analyzed each episode’s script and taught the cast and crew about detecting deception.
A question arises here: when people know their (neuro)microexpressions are being read, does this make them more nervous, potentially leading to misinterpretation? Freitas-Magalhães and Högman told IE that awareness of being analyzed could increase nervousness, affecting natural emotional responses.
“This heightened self-awareness can lead to increased anxiety, which may alter or mask the neuromicroexpressions that would otherwise appear spontaneously. As a result, the nervousness might cause expressions that are not reflective of the person’s true feelings, leading to potential misinterpretation,” said Freitas-Magalhães. He emphasizes that the context of analysis becomes crucial in such cases.
Accurately interpreting these subtle cues requires considering psychological and situational influences. Högman added that the tension between voluntary control and reflexive expression may complicate accurate emotional reading, especially in high-stress situations.
Did AI catch you faking it?
The global artificial intelligence (AI) industry has grown significantly in recent years. In 2023, the market was estimated to be approximately $150-207 billion, with predictions suggesting it could reach between $1.3 trillion and $1.8 trillion by 2030.
Freitas-Magalhães explained that AI holds great promise in analyzing neuromicroexpressions more precisely. Machine learning algorithms can be trained to recognize even the smallest facial movements in real time by analyzing video footage frame by frame, offering the potential for greater precision and consistency.
However, he pointed out that AI-driven analysis could also present challenges. “One concern is the risk of over-reliance on AI for emotional interpretation, leading to oversimplified or incorrect conclusions, especially in nuanced social interactions,” he says. Additionally, there are ethical considerations, particularly regarding privacy and consent.
These technological changes may also have long-term evolutionary effects. Freitas-Magalhães suggested that as artificial intelligence becomes more adept at reading emotions, people may consciously or unconsciously adjust their facial expressions. “This could result in more controlled or masked neuromicroexpressions in certain settings, especially if people become aware that their emotions are being monitored. Such technological advancements might also impact social dynamics and trust,” he said.
Hackers attack every 39 seconds. Can microexpressions help?
The Clark School study was among the first to quantify near-constant hacker attacks, averaging one every 39 seconds, with computers in the study attacked 2,244 times daily.
The rise of cyberattacks and other challenges raise questions about the future development and application of neuromicroexpressions. According to Freitas-Magalhães, they could play a role in detecting human behavior in cybersecurity contexts.
For example, in environments where cyberattacks often rely on social engineering, such as phishing or insider threats, analyzing neuromicroexpressions during interviews, video calls, or interactions with potential attackers or insiders could reveal subtle signs of anxiety or stress, helping security professionals better assess risks.
Applying neuro microexpressions in artificial intelligence involves using machine learning and computer vision algorithms to detect and interpret facial signals. Cameras or sensors capture facial expressions analyzed by algorithms trained to recognize patterns corresponding to emotions. Freitas-Magalhães has mapped 16 emotions through the sophisticated F-M Facial Action Coding System 5.0.
In healthcare, neuromicroexpression analysis could offer profound benefits to the patient-physician relationship. Doctors could improve diagnosis and treatment by better understanding a patient’s emotional state, especially when patients may not fully articulate their feelings. “Subtle cues in facial expressions might reveal pain, fear, or anxiety that a patient is hesitant to express verbally, enabling more empathetic and accurate care. This could be especially valuable in mental health, where emotional cues are often difficult to discern but critical for effective treatment,” he said.
The future development of neuromicroexpression has great potential. However, Freitas-Magalhães added that it also requires careful application and consideration of ethical and contextual factors.
Faces tell all in a world of 8 billion
In our world of over 8 billion people, every face is painted with a spectrum of emotions. Microexpressions can reveal truths often obscured by our words or tone of voice.
The global emotion detection and recognition market, estimated at approximately $21.6 billion in 2021, is expected to reach USD 49.92 billion by 2028. As we navigate this complex field, we must balance global security, scientific advancement, and individual privacy. Striking this balance is essential for a future that respects human dignity while embracing innovation.
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