Relationship between anxiety and physical traits of facial expressions

The purpose of this study is to investigate correlations between anxiety and physical traits of facial expressions. In this study, subjects were divided into two groups on the basis of MAS (manifest anxiety scale), and were taken pictures under three different conditions. In Analysis I, we examined how facial expressions differ between high-anxiety and low-anxiety groups. The results showed that facial expressions differed between two groups especially in mouth, left half of the face, and asymmetry of the face. In Experiment I and II, we investigated whether human beings could identify one's anxiety trait and apparent anxiety in facial expressions only on the basis of its facial expressions. The results showed that one's anxiety trait and apparent anxiety could be detected through the mouth. From these results, human beings can recognize one's anxiety through its facial expressions.