The human face doesn’t lie. We show sadness and happiness through our expressions. Scientists used to believe we had six basic facial expressions that tell others how we feel: sad, happy, surprised, fearful, angry and disgusted (恶心的). But a new study shows that our faces can do more than we think.
Scientists from Ohio State University found out that humans can actually make 21 different facial expressions after studying how people move their facial muscles (肌肉).
The scientists took pictures of 230 volunteers making faces in response to different descriptions. These included phrases like “you just got some great unexpected news”, which produced a “happily surprised” reaction from volunteers. Others included “you smell a bad smell”, which caused “disgusted” faces. In total, around 5,000 pictures were taken of the volunteers. The scientists then studied similarities of these pictures. This helped them to define (定义) a facial expression. “That tells us that these 21 emotions are expressed in the same way by nearly everyone,” said Dr. Aleix Martinez to The Daily Telegraph. For example, to express surprise, 92 percent of volunteers widened their eyes and opened their mouths. And 99 percent raised their cheeks and smiled to show being happy.
We are not always aware of our facial expressions, which can hold clues to how we really feel. So these results may have a big influence on medical treatment. If doctors were able to recognize more complex (复杂的) emotions, it would help doctors treat patients suffering from certain diseases.
40. How many facial expressions can human beings make according to the study?
41. How do most people make a “surprised” face?
A.By opening their eyes and mouths wide. | B.By raising their cheeks. |
C.By covering their mouths with their hands. | D.By laughing out loud. |
42. In which order did the scientists do the experiment?
a. Take pictures of the volunteers’ facial expressions.
b. Compare the pictures to find similarities.
c. Find 230 volunteers to take part in the experiment.
A.a-b-c | B.c-b-a | C.a-c-b | D.c-a-b |