microexpression
Brief facial betrayal
A microexpression is a brief, involuntary facial expression that flashes across someone's face, typically lasting only a fraction of a second.
These fleeting expressions are thought to reveal concealed emotions—a flicker of contempt, a flash of fear—before the person can consciously suppress them.
The concept is popular in psychology and law enforcement training, though its reliability for detecting deception remains debated: She caught a microexpression of disgust before he smiled.
Twisted expression of displeasure
- smirkPleased, superior smile
- frownDisapproving facial expression
- scowlAngry facial expression
- sneerScornful expression
squint · eyebrow raise · nose wrinkle · jaw clench · lip curl · brow furrow · nostril flare · eye widening
Intense hostile emotion
- contemptDisdainful disregard
- disgustIntense physical aversion
- fearEmotional response to threat
- happinessJoyful emotional state
sadness · surprise · shame · guilt · anxiety · empathy · distrust · suspicion
Passing very quickly
- momentaryLasting very briefly
- split-secondFraction of a moment
- flashBrief burst of light
- instantaneousHappening without any delay
brief · imperceptible · rapid · sudden · fraction · quick · nanosecond · transient
Wordless transmission of meaning
- body languageUnspoken physical expression
- emotional intelligenceCapacity for managing feelings
- psychologyStudy of mind, behavior
- cognitive scienceStudy of mental processes
FACS · cross-cultural · Darwin · research · empirical · measurement · video analysis · slow motion
Assessing truthfulness of statements
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- leakageUnintended fluid escape
- truthfulnessHabit of not lying
- tellsConveys information verbally
baseline · interrogation · poker face · credibility · veracity · concealment · suppression · masking
Not awake or aware
- spontaneousArising without external cause
- reflexInvoluntary stimulus response
- instinctiveArising without conscious thought
- unintentionalNot done on purpose
genuine · authentic · autonomic · uncontrolled · natural · reactive · leakage · suppression
grimace
Twisted expression of displeasure
sneer · squint · eyebrow raise · nose wrinkle · jaw clench · lip curl · brow furrow · nostril flare · eye widening
anger
Intense hostile emotion
happiness · sadness · surprise · shame · guilt · anxiety · empathy · distrust · suspicion · discomfort
fleeting
Passing very quickly
- momentaryLasting very briefly
- split-secondFraction of a moment
- flashBrief burst of light
instantaneous · brief · imperceptible · rapid · sudden · fraction · quick · nanosecond · transient · millisecond
nonverbal communication
Wordless transmission of meaning
- body languageUnspoken physical expression
- emotional intelligenceCapacity for managing feelings
- psychologyStudy of mind, behavior
cognitive science · FACS · cross-cultural · Darwin · research · empirical · measurement · video analysis · slow motion · frame-by-frame
lie detection
Assessing truthfulness of statements
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- leakageUnintended fluid escape
- truthfulnessHabit of not lying
tells · baseline · interrogation · poker face · credibility · veracity · concealment · suppression · masking · hot spots
unconscious
Not awake or aware
- spontaneousArising without external cause
- reflexInvoluntary stimulus response
- instinctiveArising without conscious thought
unintentional · genuine · authentic · autonomic · uncontrolled · natural · reactive · leakage · suppression · unbidden
- Micromicrobes, microchips, microorganism, micrometer, micron