Humans communicate emotions through words, sounds, facial expressions and body language. Language and culture can affect how moods are expressed. Despite these differences, certain emotions are common to everyone. The ability to identify and react to the emotions of others is known as "emotional intelligence". By developing it, you can improve your emotional awareness and that of others as well.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Analyzing the Emotions of Others
Step 1. Recognize positive and negative human emotions
There are six universal emotions: happiness, surprise, anger, fear, sadness and contempt. They fall into two categories: positive (happiness, surprise) and negative (anger, fear, sadness, contempt). To identify them in others, you need to understand what types of actions and behaviors they are associated with. They include:
- Positive emotions reduce stress, improve mood, stimulate memory and awareness. Examples are: happiness, surprise, empathy, kindness, love, courage, security, inspiration, relief and so on.
- Negative emotions increase stress, allow you to recognize threats and deal with difficult situations. Examples are: fear, anger, contempt, and so on.
- The two most important brain regions related to the expression and understanding of emotions are the amygdala complex and the prefrontal cortex. The damage done to these areas can make it impossible for the person to read emotions.
Step 2. Focus on the eyes and mouth
Generally, people convey moods through these areas of the face. The part of the face that expresses a person's emotion is influenced by their culture. For example, in Japan the focus is on the eyes, while Americans interpret emotions through the mouth. When trying to identify an emotion, look at the whole face, not just the eyes.
Stand far enough away to see the other person's face, but have a normal conversation. It is ideal to stay about 45-120 cm away from your interlocutor
Step 3. Listen to the tone of the voice
Right after facial expression, it is the second most important means used by people to convey emotions. People use their voice both to convey moods and to control them. However, there are emotions that are not conveyed through the voice. For example, people can easily identify relaxation, stress, boredom, contentment, and self-esteem from the tone of their voice. Instead, emotions that are faintly expressed include fear, kindness, happiness, and sadness.
- Similar tones of voice can express different emotions. For example, a tense and harsh tone is associated with anger and hostility, but also with confidence and interest.
- A whispered or low tone of voice can be associated with a wide variety of emotions. They include relaxation, gratification, intimacy, friendship, sadness and boredom.
- A small, wheezing voice (the person in question breathes loudly while speaking) is associated with fear, shyness and nervousness.
Step 4. Observe and take note of general behavior and attitude
When you look at someone, does this person create a friendly atmosphere or is they reserved? Emotions can be experienced unconsciously, without having any awareness of them. Using your wits and listening to your instincts is sometimes the most effective way to read an emotion.
- Recognize the moods of others by noting your reactions. People often mirror the emotions of others through their facial expressions, tone of voice, and behavior.
- Emotions are contagious. People are influenced by the moods of others. Mood and behavior change according to the emotions of others. This is why, if someone smiles at you, you are predisposed to smile back.
Step 5. Assess the other person's physical state
Emotions can affect health both positively and negatively. If a friend or relative is sick or feeling tired all the time, they may be stressed or depressed.
- Physical symptoms of mental illness and depression include headaches or migraines, low energy levels, stomach upset, back pain, change in eating habits, alcohol and drug use.
- Psychic and emotional symptoms of mental illness and depression include: confusion, sudden and extreme mood swings, isolation from friends, inability to cope with the problems of everyday life, increased anger and violence.
Step 6. Develop and improve your emotional intelligence
Learn to recognize the emotions of others by becoming more aware of them firsthand. The four ramifications of emotional intelligence are: being able to perceive the emotions you feel yourself and those of others, using moods to foster reflection, understanding the meaning of emotions and managing them. Here are some strategies to improve emotional intelligence:
- Put your phone aside and move away from your computer. Improve your interpersonal skills and the ability to identify non-verbal cues by having daily face-to-face conversations.
- Don't distance yourself from uncomfortable or negative feelings, yours or others. They are important and necessary. If you are feeling sad or angry, take a step back and think about the reason for this mood. Then, try to counteract the negative emotion with three positives.
- Listen to the body: A knot in the stomach can indicate stress, increased heart rate, attraction or excitement.
- Keep a journal or log of your thoughts and feelings. Several times a week, stop and write about what you do, how you feel. You can include other information, such as the hours you slept the night before or what you ate for breakfast.
- Ask a close friend or relative (someone you know and trust) to read your emotions. Sometimes the people around you know you better than you know yourself. Their responses can be surprising and sharp.
Part 2 of 3: Interpreting Facial Expressions
Step 1. Take note of the facial expressions
The moods are expressed by the eyes and the rest of the face. Learning to recognize the association between facial expressions and certain types of emotions is very important in being able to read them.
Don't be fooled. People can manipulate their facial expressions to look happy when they are angry or sad - actors do this continuously and convincingly. Look for other signs to understand how they really feel. Observe body language and tone of voice. Make eye contact: The wide, penetrating, cold eyes suggest an emotional state other than that expressed by a friendly smile
Step 2. Recognize a genuine smile
A sincere smile uses more muscle than a fake or forced one. The corners of the mouth and cheeks rise. If the muscles around the eyes contract and crow's feet form (groupings of wrinkles around the outer corners of the eyes), then this is a good indicator of the honesty of a smile.
Step 3. Distinguish sadness from happiness
It may seem trivial, but people try to control or hide the true emotions they feel when smiling when they are sad. Sincere and spontaneous emotions are hard to fake. Sadness is associated with a frown (the corners of the mouth are lowered), a lifting of the inner corners of the eyebrows (near the nose) and dropping of the eyelids, which lower to cover part of the eyes.
Step 4. Recognize anger and disgust
These emotions are often associated with each other and result in similar facial expressions. When one is upset, angry or annoyed, the nose is wrinkled.
- Anger and resentment can be directed at someone or about something. In moments of anger, eyebrows lower, lips pucker (the edges contract and suck in), and eyes bulge.
- In contrast to anger, the expression of revulsion, disgust or contempt for someone or something is associated with the lifting of the upper lip and the dropping of the lower lip. The eyebrows also lower, but not as much as in moments of anger.
Step 5. Recognize the fear and surprise
While fear is considered a negative emotion and surprise a positive one, they both activate the sympathetic nervous system and trigger a "fight or flight" reaction. When something unexpected happens, for better or for worse, the event stimulates a part of the brain that is beyond an individual's direct control. If it happens, the eyebrows and lids are raised, so as to open the eyes wide.
- In moments of fear, people frown (towards the nose), the pupils dilate to absorb more light, and the mouth opens. In addition, the muscles of the face contract, especially those around the mouth and cheeks.
- In moments of surprise, one tends to arch the eyebrows and lower the jaw. The mouth opens, the muscles around it relax and melt.
Part 3 of 3: Reading Emotions in Other Ways
Step 1. Look for non-verbal cues
In addition to facial expressions and tone of voice, humans express emotions in other ways. While non-verbal clues can be misleading, learning to catch them can help you read moods. The most important non-verbal signals that convey an emotion are body movements, posture and eye contact. Make an effort to notice a person's behavior to see if they seem lively and dynamic or if they are tense and rigid. Also, see if she stands upright and looks others in the eye, hunches over, plays nervously with her hands, or crosses her arms.
- Moving and having a straight posture show that an individual feels open and comfortable. However, making excessive movements (such as vigorous gesturing) and raising your voice could indicate excitement or anger.
- Hunched shoulders, a low voice, and folded arms are signs of discomfort or nervousness. If a person refuses to look you in the eye, this could indicate upset or guilt.
- Keep in mind that culture, social situations, and individual personalities affect how emotions are expressed through body language. In this sense, facial expressions are considered more universal and reliable. For example, Italians tend to gesticulate when they speak, but in Japan this could be considered rude. Another example: eye contact is a sign of respect in the United States and Europe, but is seen as rude or aggressive in some Asian and African cultures.
Step 2. Observe body movements and posture
Focusing on the whole body, not just the face, is the best way to read and interpret emotions. Posture and body movements not only reflect emotions, but also their relative intensity. There are varying degrees of positive and negative emotions. For example, positive emotions range from interest (low degree) to euphoria (high degree), while negative emotions range from sadness (low degree) to violent anger (high degree).
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Arms and torso: Hunching the shoulders and leaning forward are two movements associated with intense anger. In contrast, leaning back can be a sign of panic or fear. If a person stands straight, shoulders relaxed and head held high, this is a sign of self-esteem. However, if she hunches or leans forward, then she is looking for empathy, she is bored, or she feels nervous.
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Arms and Hands: If he's sad, he'll likely drop his arms to his sides and put his hands in his pockets. If she is bothered or irritated, she may put one hand on her hip and gesticulate with the other (pointing a finger or leaving her palm flat). If she feels indifference or doesn't care, then she'll put her hands behind her back.
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Legs and feet: If she shakes her legs or taps her toes, then she may be anxious, annoyed, or in a hurry. However, some people naturally move their legs while sitting, and this has no particular significance.
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Step 3. Notice those signs that denote a "fight or flight" reaction
When something unexpected happens, be it positive or negative, it stimulates a part of the brain that is beyond the direct control of an individual. This results in physical responses such as dilation of the pupils, wheezing, increased sweating and heart rate. You can tell if a person is nervous, stressed, or anxious by looking for signs such as sweaty palms or armpits, a flushed face, or shaking hands.
When men are upset or stressed, they tend to show signs of aggression, frustration, and anger. In contrast, women may talk more or seek social support. Depending on the individual personality, some men and women become more reserved and quiet when experiencing negative emotions
Step 4. Ask this person how they feel
Sometimes the best way to read an emotion is to be direct. While your interlocutor might lie and say he's okay, when it's not true, asking never hurts. You can also use his answer to read between the lines by noticing the tone of the voice mixed with facial expressions and body language. In addition, it is possible to examine specific verbal cues that suggest his mood. For example, if this person is bored or sad, they will speak slower and at a lower frequency. If he is enthusiastic or upset, the speed and frequency of the voice will increase.
Try talking to this person individually, not in a group. She may be open and honest about her emotions when she is with a trusted friend or family member
Advice
- Try looking at a person you know is sad, happy, enthusiastic, or with another emotion to actually understand how these moods express themselves. Then, try to identify them in others.
- Practice guessing the emotions of the people around you based on your observations. If you think someone looks happy, confirm your hypothesis by asking them if anything positive has happened.
- Try practicing with your friends and family before reading other people's emotions. At lunch or dinner, talk and share your emotions.
- Try asking a person several questions. Start with vague and basic questions, such as "How are you?" and "What did you do yesterday?". Then, move on to personal questions, for example "How are you (family or friend's name)?" or "How are things with (your sweetheart's name)?". Watch her reactions, but stop if she starts to feel uncomfortable.
Warnings
- Remember that your interlocutor can hide emotions on purpose. This could be due to past experiences of mental or emotional abuse, or he is facing a difficult situation in his life. Be a good friend: Respect their decision to keep their moods to themselves.
- Reading emotions is not an exact science. Remember that people express moods in different ways, so avoid jumping to conclusions about someone's true emotions.
- Don't act like a know-it-all and don't insist someone talk to you about their emotions. Respect your privacy if you don't want to share them.
- If you're trying to read the emotions of a complete stranger, avoid staring at him or being rude.
