The Faclal Feedback Hypothesis in Human Interaction

Abstract

In theory and research on human emotional response, the facial feedback hypothesis (FFH) has held a special place because its claims are both counterintuitive and controversial. In this article, evidence for the hypothesis is reviewed in light of certain of the critical assessments of the hypothesis. It is concluded that the empirical evidence and the theoretical speculation are of sufficient strength to warrant confidence in the reliability of the FFH. The FFH is applied to the interpersonal context by noting the evidence for the imitation of facial expressions in both adults and infants. The `interpersonal facial feedback hypothesis' holds that in face-to-face contexts the hedonic tone of facial displays achieved through imitation should influence the underlying affect experienced by the partners. The link between facial imitation and affect can account in part for their attraction to the partner and situation. A reanalysis of previous data provides evidence for the imitation of smiles in conversation among various types of dyads and for an independent effect of a person's own smiles on his or her own attraction to the partner (after the effects of other predictors of attraction have been removed).