Question

Which of the following statements is true? a. Certain gestures—a thumbs-up, for example—mean the same thing everywhere. b. There are six basic facial expressions that vary between cultures. c. Basic facial expressions of emotion—a smile when happy, a frown when sad, for example—are different depending on geographical location. d. Infants have facial expressions similar to those of adults.

Answer 1

Answer: The correct answer is D: Infants have facial expressions similar to those of adults.

Explanation: Let's begin by answering why A, b and c are false statements.

a. A thumbs-up does not mean the same thing everywhere. Don't try doing a thumbs up in Greece! The meaning of gestures vary between cultures, neutral or positive gestures in certain cultures can have a negative meaning in other cultures.

b. Facial expressions are universal, according to Paul Ekman.

c. Smile means happy, frown means sad. Doesn't matter the geographical location.

Infants do have facial expressions similar to those of adults, and multiple theories explain how these facial expressions are learned and developed.