INTERPRETATION OF FACIAL EXPRESSIONS OF EMOTION - THE INFLUENCE OF EYEBROWS

The contribution of the eyebrow component (eyebrow density and eyebrow position) in interpretation of facial displays of emotions was explor ed. In Study 1, college students (N = 60) and children (N = 60), ages 6-9 years, listened to vignettes consisting of one or two sentences an d selected the facial expression that best matched the vignette. A mai n effect for eyebrow density as well as interactions for Density x Age and Density x Emotion were found. Also, a main effect for eyebrow pos ition and interactions for Position x Age, Position x Emotion, and Pos ition x Age x Emotion were significant. Study 2 was conducted to bette r understand whether findings regarding eyebrow position were a functi on of mistaking the intended emotion portrayed in the vignettes. Using a within-subject design, responses from 60 children, ages 6-9 years, were compared for trials when the emotion was designated and when emot ion was not designated. A main effect for designation of emotion was n ot found; however, an interaction effect for Designation x Emotion was significant.