7. Expression of Affect in the Face

Goals:

• Be able to recognize the expression of affect—especially in various facial patterns.
• Bring in photos from personal snapshots, magazines, newspapers, etc. to demonstrate the expression of affect.
• Be able to model the nine basic affects by changing your own facial expression and physical posture.

Readings:

AIC I-II, “The Primary Site of Affects: The Face,” Chapter 7, SuperVolume I, pp. 113-123.

EA, “The Phantasy Behind the Face,” pp. 263-278.

Bulletin, v2, #1, 1995, Jeanette Wright, “From Our Members,” pp. 6-8.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is the face important to humans?
2. What is the role of the face in socialization?
3. What two social affects might be innately stimulated by the face of others?
4. Why is face constancy maintained even with great stimulus variations?
5. Describe some different “facial styles.”
6. Describe some ways of analyzing facial expression to explore character.
7. Why is it difficult to interpret the face?
8. How can affect be determined in art therapy?
9. What does Wright mean by the phrase “a language of emotions”?