As a group, discuss each chart. Our facial expressions tell others what we're thinking and feeling-and usually it's easy to tell when someone is faking an expression. In addition, our facial muscles send messages to our brains so that when we make a facial expression, our emotions grow stronger. You have 80 muscles that control what happens on your face. Those muscles communicate at least 40 different groups of expressions-the six primary emotions and their blends.
Actors study expressions to seem more realistic.
Police detectives look at the faces of suspects and witnesses to help determine if they are telling the truth. Airport security people study faces of travelers to look for clues about danger in the skies. Medical professionals observe facial reactions during physical exams. Interpreters closely watch the faces of the speakers to determine accurately the message to translate. Reading faces is an important survival skill.