What are Micro Expressions ?

Research has found that most people, even those in law enforcement, do not report being able to see micro expressions. Yet with as little as twenty minutes of training, research has established that there is improvement. These expressions can be seen – live, as they occur, without repeated viewing in slow motion. Because people differ in their visual acuity, not every one can reach the same level of proficiency. .

Micro expressions typically are quite intense, compressed to about 1/15 to 1/25 of a second. Each of the seven emotions which Ekman and others have found to be universal, (the same for all people) – anger, fear, sadness, disgust, contempt, surprise and happiness – can be seen in a micro expression. Learning to spot micro expressions will also improve your ability to identify normal expressions, which typically last much longer – 2 to 3 seconds.

Micro expressions tell you that the emotion is concealed. But they do NOT tell you how or why it was concealed. They may be the result of a conscious, deliberate choice in which the person knows how he/she is feeling but does not want anyone else to know. Or, as a result of repression, in which the person does not know how he/she is feeling and has been blocked from their consciousness. You will need to determine if the concealment is deliberate or unconsciousm, as they look the same. Your knowledge of the situation in which they occur should help you figure this out, or you may need to ask questions to find out.

For more information on how to use this training -read the chapter on cautions in Ekman’s book TELLING LIES, Norton, 2002, third edition, and chapters 5,6,7,8,and 9 in Ekman’s book EMOTIONS REVEALED, Owl Books, 2007 second edition.

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