Social Psychology (9th Edition)
Social Psychology (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN: 9780133936544
Author: Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Publisher: PEARSON
Question
Book Icon
Chapter 4, Problem 1RQ1
Summary Introduction

Introduction

In this case, the answer is option (B) in which there are six major emotional expressions that seem to be universal, which include anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

Correct answer and explanation

Darwin's research on facial expressions has had a significant impact on numerous fields. He believed that the primary emotions expressed through one's face are universal, and subsequent cross-cultural research conducted assessing the universality of emotional expressions has confirmed that Darwin was right. There are six major emotional expressions that seem to be universal, which include anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise. All humans express these emotions in the same way and interpret them with similar accuracy. Nonverbal communication is species specific, not culture bound.

Explanations for incorrect options

Option (A) refers to facial expressions not being universal because they have different cultural meanings. However, cross-cultural research conducted on facial expressions has shown that emotional expressions are indeed universal and interpreted with comparable accuracy. So, option (a) is incorrect.

Option (C) refers to there being nine major emotional expressions. However, research conducted on the universality of emotions has uncovered that there are six major emotional expressions that are not culture bound and are in fact universal across different cultures. So, option (c) is incorrect.

Option (D) refers to the South Fore tribe using different facial expressions to express the same emotion when compared to westerners. However, not only did the Fore tribe use the same facial expressions to express the same emotions, when showed photos of American subjects expressing the six major emotions, they could match their facial expressions of emotion to stories. So, option (d) is incorrect.

Therefore, the options (A), (C), and (D) are incorrect.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Social Psychology (10th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134641287
Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Publisher:Pearson College Div
Text book image
Introduction to Sociology (Eleventh Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780393639407
Author:Deborah Carr, Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, Richard P. Appelbaum
Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company
Text book image
The Basics of Social Research (MindTap Course Lis...
Sociology
ISBN:9781305503076
Author:Earl R. Babbie
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Scien...
Sociology
ISBN:9780134477596
Author:Saferstein, Richard
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (13th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134205571
Author:James M. Henslin
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Society: The Basics (14th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134206325
Author:John J. Macionis
Publisher:PEARSON