The surprising link between facial expressions, social success, and the poker face meme

Monday, August 5, 2024

Facial expressions play a crucial role in social interactions, making folks who are more expressive significantly more attractive as social partners.

A pivotal study from 1986 laid the foundation for understanding this dynamic, revealing that people who openly display their thoughts and feelings through their facial expressions are more successful in forming relationships.

This 1986 research, through a contemporary lens, highlights the social benefits of being neuro-normative. The findings were confirmed once more in 2024.

The 2024 Study: Facial Expressivity and Social Bonding

An analysis of 1,500 natural conversations revealed that folks who are more facially expressive find it easier to build relationships.

The primary reason appears to be that expressive counterparts are easier to read. This readability aids in understanding their personality, predicting their actions, and determining the best ways to respond, thereby facilitating social bonding. This is a fundamental neuro-normative bias laid bare and explicitly dissected.

Dr. Eithne Kavanagh, the 2024 study’s first author, stated, “This is the first large-scale study to examine facial expression in real-world interactions.

Our evidence shows that facial expressivity is related to positive social outcomes.

It suggests that more expressive people are more successful at attracting social partners and in building relationships. It also could be important in conflict resolution.”

Express to Impress: The benefits of being neuro-normative

The research involved analyzing conversations of almost 1,500 strangers. Results showed that expressive partners were more likable and easier to read, scoring higher on the personality trait of agreeableness.

They were adept at adapting their facial expressions to achieve specific goals, such as appearing threatening or friendly in different scenarios. For example, in a negotiation scenario over a reward payment, those who maintained an agreeable and expressive demeanor achieved the best outcomes.

This old 1986 study unintentionally underscored a critical point about the benefits of being neuro-normative. It proposed a conceptual framework for defining and assessing basic social skills to measure individual differences in nonverbal communication skills.

Neuro-normative folks, who typically do not struggle with alexithymia (a condition characterized by difficulty in recognizing and expressing emotions), naturally leverage facial expressivity to navigate social interactions successfully. This ability to convey emotions through facial expressions is a normative advantage that facilitates better social bonding and conflict resolution. The Poker Face Meme puts the neurodiverse at a clear social disadvantage.

Forget the Poker Face Meme: trust and social success

While a poker face might be advantageous in certain competitive environments, it often backfires in typical social interactions.

Keeping a blank face and hiding true thoughts can reduce trust and hinder relationship-building.

As Professor Bridget Waller, study co-author, explained, “This research is important in evolutionary terms as it may explain why humans have developed more complex facial expression than any other species—it helps us to create stronger bonds and better navigate the social world.”

Alexithymia, Normative Bias, and the Poker Face Meme

Alexithymia, a condition where some folks find it difficult to identify and express their emotions, presents a stark contrast to the neuro-normative advantages highlighted in the 1986 study.

Folks with alexithymia often struggle with social interactions due to their limited facial expressivity, which can lead to misunderstandings and challenges in forming close relationships. This further elucidates the normative bias revealed in the 1986 research, as folks who do not face such challenges have a distinct advantage in social settings.

The impact of emotional expressivity on social networks

Further studies have supported these findings, showing that emotionally expressive people tend to have more daily acquaintances and close friends than less expressive individuals (Riggio, 1986).

This emphasizes the importance of facial expressivity in building and maintaining social networks, which is crucial for personal and professional success.

Final thoughts

Being facially expressive offers significant social advantages.

By openly displaying emotions and thoughts through facial expressions, humans can foster trust, build stronger relationships, and navigate social interactions more effectively.

For those who struggle with expressivity due to conditions like alexithymia, understanding these dynamics can provide valuable insights into improving social skills and overcoming normative biases.

However, it is essential to recognize the challenges faced by neurodiverse humans, such as those with autism spectrum disorder or social anxiety, who may find it difficult to express or interpret emotions through facial expressions.

These folks often face unique social challenges that can hinder their ability to form and maintain relationships. Addressing these challenges with empathy and support can help create a more inclusive society where everyone can thrive (Baron-Cohen et al., 2001; Attwood, 2007).

The Poker Face Meme matters. Embracing expressivity rather than suppressing it can lead to a richer and more connected social life. It proves that sometimes, it's best to forget the poker face and let your true feelings show. However, for some, that proposition is considerably more complicated.

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

REFERENCES:

Riggio, R. E. (1986). Assessment of basic social skills. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51(3), 649–660. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.51.3.649

Kavanagh, E., Whitehouse, J., & Waller, B. M. (2024). Being facially expressive is socially advantageous. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-62902-6

Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., Skinner, R., Martin, J., & Clubley, E. (2001). The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ): Evidence from Asperger Syndrome/high-functioning autism, males and females, scientists and mathematicians. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 31(1), 5-17.

Attwood, T. (2007). The complete guide to Asperger's syndrome. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.