Answer :
According to the facial feedback hypothesis, facial expressions can influence our emotional experiences through the movement of our facial muscles, which corresponds to our emotions. Hence, option C) facial expressions influence our emotional experiences is the correct answer.
The facial feedback hypothesis suggests that facial expressions influence our emotional experiences. This idea posits that there is a direct connection between the muscle movements in our faces and our emotions. For instance, the act of smiling can make us feel happier while frowning can enhance feelings of sadness.
Research by Fritz Strack and colleagues in 1988 provided evidence supporting the facial feedback hypothesis. They instructed participants to hold a pen in their mouth in a way that either mimicked a smile or a frown and then asked them to rate the humor of cartoons. The study revealed that those holding the pen in a 'smiling' way found the cartoons more amusing, indicating that the facial action had intensified their emotional experience.
This concept is rooted in nonverbal communication theory and stands as an intersection between psychology and physiology, showing how our body's movements can impact our subjective feelings. The facial feedback hypothesis aligns with the broader idea that people's physiological responses to emotional events are similar across cultures, but cultural factors may influence the specific expressive behaviors displayed. Hence, option C) facial expressions influence our emotional experiences is the correct answer.
