Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Unmasking the Face summary
Paul Ekman
Wallace V. Friesen
A Guide to Recognizing Emotions From Facial Expressions
25 mins
Brief summary
Unmasking the Face by Paul Ekman and Wallace V. Friesen is a book that teaches how to read facial expressions, providing readers with an insight to detect emotions and hidden feelings of people around them.
Table of Contents
Unmasking the Face
Summary of 10 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 10
Reading human facial expressions is a survival skill – but it can be a challenge too!
The ability to read facial expressions is an essential tool in our personal, professional and social lives.
In our close relationships, we observe the facial expressions of our partners to understand how they’re really feeling, while in the workplace, we use facial expressions to read between the lines during job interviews or important conversations where we’ve got to be sure whether someone’s telling the truth. In fact, in some professions, reading facial expressions is an indispensable part of the job.
A trial lawyer, for instance, can’t always trust a client on the basis of his words alone; physicians need to understand their patients’ emotional reactions to news about their health; and counselors, therapists and teachers all rely on their capacity to discern the emotional state of people of all ages.
So how do we read facial expressions? For us, it comes naturally – though some are more adept than others. The key to understanding facial expressions starts with knowing what signs to look for.
One of the most telling signs of someone’s emotional state is a rapid signal, a fleeting change to someone’s face through the quick movement of facial muscles in three areas: the eyebrows, the eyes and the mouth. These changes can be macro expressions, that is, visible for a few seconds, or micro expressions, visible for just a fraction of a second. It’s all too easy to confuse macro and micro expressions, or even miss them altogether, if you aren’t paying close attention to the face of your conversational partner.
A brief tightening at the mouth is one micro expression that often goes unnoticed. If you do pick it up, it’s a good indicator that your conversational partner is tense or disagrees with what you’re saying (even though they might not admit it). Another macro expression that’s difficult to miss is raised eyebrows; however, just because we notice this signal doesn’t mean we always interpret it correctly. Depending on the person, raised eyebrows with no expression in the rest of the face can signal mild disbelief, or even genuine alarm.
Raised eyebrows are often linked to surprise, although this is one emotion that requires a careful, simultaneous reading of all three areas of the face. In the next blink, we’ll examine the key signals for surprise and its nuances.
Want to see all full key ideas from Unmasking the Face?
Key ideas in Unmasking the Face
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Unmasking the Face about?
Unmasking the Face (2003) is an illuminating read about the subtleties of facial expressions. From the dynamics of surprise, fear, anger and happiness, to the eight styles of facial expression, these blinks shed light onto the complexity of an everyday skill that deserves more attention: reading other people’s emotions.
Unmasking the Face Review
Unmasking the Face (1975) is an intriguing exploration of the human face and the emotions it conveys. Here's why this book is well worth a read:
- It provides a comprehensive analysis of the facial expressions we make when experiencing different emotions, offering valuable insights into human behavior.
- Based on extensive research, the book presents a scientific approach to understanding and interpreting facial expressions, making it a valuable resource for psychologists and enthusiasts alike.
- With its practical examples and detailed explanations, the book brings the topic to life, ensuring that it is anything but boring, even for those unfamiliar with the field.
Who should read Unmasking the Face?
- Readers interested in the psychology of social interaction
- Professionals who deal with displays of emotion on a daily basis
- People who want to gain insight into how they’re perceived by others
Categories with Unmasking the Face
Book summaries like Unmasking the Face
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.8 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
35 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Unmasking the Face FAQs
What is the main message of Unmasking the Face?
The main message of Unmasking the Face is understanding microexpressions and their significance in human communication.
How long does it take to read Unmasking the Face?
The reading time for Unmasking the Face varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Unmasking the Face a good book? Is it worth reading?
Unmasking the Face is a must-read for anyone interested in body language and nonverbal communication. It provides valuable insights and practical applications.
Who is the author of Unmasking the Face?
The authors of Unmasking the Face are Paul Ekman and Wallace V. Friesen.
What to read after Unmasking the Face?
If you're wondering what to read next after Unmasking the Face, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Chimp Paradox by Prof Steve Peters
- The Origin of Everyday Moods by Robert E. Thayer
- Emotional Agility by Susan David
- How Emotions Are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett
- Nonviolent Communication by Marshall B. Rosenberg
- Nudge by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein
- Emotions Revealed by Paul Ekman
- Anger Management for Dummies by Charles H. Elliott & Laura L. Smith
- Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed
- Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss