Microexpressions: The Involuntary Leaks of Emotion.

Microexpressions: Definition, duration and their involuntary nature.

Microexpressions are extremely brief and involuntary facial expressions.

They typically last less than half a second, sometimes as little as 1/25th of a second.

Their main characteristic is that they reveal a person's true emotions, even when the person actively tries to hide or disguise them.

Because of their involuntary and fleeting nature, they are difficult to consciously monitor, making them reliable indicators of genuine emotional state.

Picking up on these subtle "leaks" can provide valuable insight into someone's underlying feelings in an interaction.

The universality of the 7 basic emotions

Research, notably that of psychologist Paul Ekman, has identified seven basic emotions whose facial microexpressions are considered universal, i.e., they manifest similarly in people from all cultures around the world.

These emotions are: happiness, anger, fear, disgust, sadness, surprise and contempt.

Recognizing the specific facial configurations associated with each of these emotions allows for a more accurate interpretation of a person's actual emotional state, regardless of their cultural background.

This universality makes them a powerful tool for interpersonal understanding in diverse contexts.

How CNV filters what the voice tries to hide

Microexpressions are a clear example of how Nonverbal Communication (NVC) acts as a "filter" or "leak" for emotional truth, often revealing what words try to hide.

While we can consciously control what we say, completely controlling our involuntary facial reactions is much more difficult, especially under stress or when experiencing intense emotions.

Thus, a micro-expression of anger, fear or sadness may momentarily "leak out," contradicting a verbal statement of calm or agreement.

Observing these incongruities between the verbal and nonverbal channels (specifically microexpressions) can alert a leader to possible internal conflicts, doubts or unexpressed feelings in the other person.

Summary

Microexpressions are extremely brief facial reactions, lasting less than half a second. They are involuntary and reveal true emotions, even when we try to hide them.

Paul Ekman's research identified seven basic emotions whose microexpressions are universal across cultures. These are happiness, anger, fear, disgust, sadness, surprise and contempt.

They act as "leaks" of emotional truth, revealing what words try to hide. Observing these incongruities alerts the leader to unexpressed feelings in the other person.