Innate Emotional Expression

Emotional Expression: Innate/Instinctual The history and scientific research on emotional expression explicates evidence of the consistent biological components of expression across species as well as different time periods. Research on nonhuman primates indicates that the emotional reaction to a threat display is controlled by innate releasing mechanisms created by specific neurons that distinctively respond to facial stimuli (Dimberg, Thunberg, & Elmehed, 2000). Some research suggests that infants between the ages of three to seven months are able to discriminate and distinguish between facial emotional expression (Hunnius, de Wit, Vrins, & von Hofsten, 2011). This shows that facial behaviors are imperative to nonverbal communication from

Human social smiling appears to be species-specific and satisfies the criteria for identifying innate behaviors because it is known universally and is even present in newborns (Jones, 2008). Smiling is arguably the most recognizable, but there are other expressions that are equally common as well. Smiles are recognized in association with joy; although, pouting is widely recognized in association with sadness, and scowls are widely recognized in association with anger. Every individual has their own unique way of expressing emotion, although it appears that there are some significant similarities in the way humans express joy, sadness, anger and disgust. This could show favorable evidence that emotions possess an instinctive

Within developmental psychology, there are distinct theoretical perspectives on emotional development to examine the emotions and expressions of infants (Camras, et. al, 2007). Infants are able to discriminate emotional expressions from an early age when they see them expressed by the same person, their sensitivity for faces and expressions supports the biological preparedness for distinguishing between facial expressions (Hunnius, et. al, 2011). Some research has also suggested that infants have strong emotion toward attachment and feelings of security. Harry Harlow performed a study using infant monkeys in order to test feelings of attachment. His results showed that the young monkey preferred the cloth mother for protection and security as well as for all the other basic needs (Harlow, 1958). This experiment is important to emotional expression in infants because it relates to humans as well. Babies have affectional responses to their caretakers, which is primarily their mothers (Harlow, 1958). Infants are also able to react to certain facial expressions made by an adult. Another study found that infants will show signs of avoidance toward threatening facial expressions such as anger or fear (Hunnius, et. al, 2011). This proves that infants are capable of distinguishing positive and negative emotions. Also stated earlier, babies tend to cry, laugh,