What is it about?
There are many example of facial mimicry (rapid micro facial expressions) that are theoretically the result of neural simulation processes. Consistent with this theory, we found that humans body muscles also rapidly respond to emotional facial expressions.
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Why is it important?
This is the first report of body muscle reactions to faces and provides further evidence that simulation is the underlying mechanism of mimicry. This may provide greater insight as to why mimicry is related to many social outcomes. It may also provide a novel way to consider the social deficits of autism.
Perspectives
These findings provide an exciting addition to the literature on mimicry. It appears that mimicry is not only a facial process, and that more general neural processes may be operating. It also provides an novel way to think about the social deficits associated with autism and sheds light on reported mimicry deficits in those with ASD.
Eric Moody
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Emotional Mimicry Beyond the Face?, Social Psychological and Personality Science, August 2017, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/1948550617726832.
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