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Even before someone voices their disagreement, their facial expression often gives it away. A slight furrow of the eyebrows, pursed lips, and a raised chin collectively form what researchers term the 'not face.' This expression, far from being a mere cultural quirk, appears to be a universal signal of disapproval, as highlighted by recent scientific findings.
A recent study in the journal Cognition reveals that the 'not face' is prevalent across four languages: Spanish, English, Mandarin Chinese, and American Sign Language (ASL). The study suggests it may even serve as a grammatical marker. Ohio State University students, who participated in the research, instinctively used the 'not face' when reacting to statements they opposed, such as 'A study suggests a 30 percent tuition hike. What’s your opinion?'
Image Credit: Ohio State University
Using advanced computer software, researchers detected the 'not face' in conversations among student participants and analyzed the speed at which their facial muscles moved. Typically, human speech ranges from 3 to 8 syllables per second (3 to 8 Hz). Interestingly, the 'not face' appeared at a similar frequency across languages, suggesting it functions as a grammatical element within speech.
The research also revealed that American Sign Language (ASL) users occasionally replaced the sign for 'not' with the 'not face.'
Researcher Aleix Martinez noted, 'This facial expression not only exists but, in some cases, serves as the sole indicator of negation in a signed sentence. Occasionally, the 'not face' is the only clue that a sentence carries a negative meaning.'
Although further studies are required to verify the universality of the 'not face' and explore the existence of other universal facial expressions, this research marks a significant advancement in understanding the connection between facial expressions and spoken language.
"To our knowledge, this is the first evidence that the facial expressions we use to convey negative moral judgments have evolved into a distinct, universal component of language," Martinez stated.
