Answer :
Final answer:
Facial expressions are universally recognized regardless of cultural background. Cultural display rules and the facial feedback hypothesis play roles in the universality of facial expressions.
Explanation:
The ability to produce and recognize facial expressions of emotions seems to be universal regardless of cultural background. However, there are cultural display rules which influence how often and under what circumstances various emotions can be expressed. Tone of voice and body language also serve as a means by which we communicate information about our emotional states.
Research has shown that facial expressions have a universal nature. Psychologist Paul Ekman conducted studies to demonstrate that people from different cultures and even congenitally blind individuals produce the same facial expressions for happiness, surprise, sadness, fright, disgust, contempt, and anger, regardless of their cultural background.
Additionally, the facial feedback hypothesis suggests that our facial expressions can actually affect our emotional experience. For example, research has found that suppressing facial expressions of emotion can lower the intensity of the emotions experienced. Similarly, studies have shown that the intensity of our facial expressions can influence our emotional reactions.
