‘Actions speak louder than words’: the power of facial expression in nonverbal communication

By Kiera Tanner

We’ve all heard the phrase ‘actions speak louder than words’, often from a teacher or parent as a reminder that our actions can communicate as powerfully — if not more so — than our words. For many, facial expressions convey emotions and intentions with a strength that surpasses language and are fundamental to human interaction. While this article focuses on neurotypical perspectives, where nonverbal cues are often a major part of communication, it’s important to note that recognition of facial expressions can differ for neurodivergent individuals, such as those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In neurotypical social settings, however, research by Albert Mehrabian (1971) suggests that nonverbal elements like facial expressions make up 93% of social meaning, underscoring the profound impact of non-verbal cues in our interactions.

Facial expressions are a crucial part of early development. For example, when interacting with an infant verbally, we use exaggerated facial expressions to convey the meaning of our words visually. This supports the theory of Natural Pedagogy, proposed by Gergely Csibra and György Gergley (2009), which suggests that humans are born with the ability to understand and use intentionality when interpreting gestures and facial expressions. This intentionality accelerates cultural and cognitive development, showing how facial

expressions affect our communication. Gestures, eye contact, and body posture also aid nonverbal communication. For instance, many babies begin to point before they can speak, a cognitive milestone that typically develops within their first year. By around 12 months, babies often engage in declarative pointing to share information and direct attention, as well as imperative pointing to express needs or wants. 

Our facial expressions share information, often providing a more honest answer. For example, when someone says “I’m fine” whilst frowning deeply, the expression, not the words, communicates the actual feeling. Holistic processing, where our brain integrates facial features so we can interpret a whole picture, allows us to quickly read facial expressions in a social situation. Although this process is more closely associated with facial recognition rather than interpreting facial expressions, it still aids in navigating nonverbal interactions. Facial expressions significantly influence how we perceive others; from a first glance, we decide whether someone appears approachable or intimidating. Recognising and appropriately using facial expressions plays an important role in social interactions and shaping our interpersonal relationships. 

However, individuals diagnosed with ASD may find understanding facial expressions more challenging as they may find recognising subtle facial expressions difficult compared to their neurotypical counterparts. This may impact the effectiveness of their communication and make understanding others more challenging. 

Facial expressions significantly influence how we perceive others; from a first glance, we decide whether someone appears approachable or intimidating

It was once thought that facial expressions had a universal nature. Research by Paul Eckman and Wallace V Friesen (1969) stated that there are seven emotions that can be recognised around the world: surprise, anger, disgust, fear, interest, sadness, and happiness. However, more recent research refutes the universality of facial expressions. A study by the American Psychological Association (APA) in 2011 found that East Asians and Western Caucasians differ in the features they assign to an angry or happy face. The study by Rachel E Jack et al. demonstrated that Chinese individuals rely heavily on the eyes to interpret facial expressions, whilst Western Caucasians focus more on the mouth and eyebrows. These findings highlight the impact of cultural differences on emotion perception. Despite this, the evolutionary nature of facial expressions remains robust, as individuals from all cultural backgrounds still rely on them as a fundamental aspect of nonverbal communication. 

Facial expressions are powerful tools for nonverbal communication in humans. We can improve our emotional understanding by recognising their power in relaying emotions and sometimes intentions. This proves that actions — and expressions — often speak louder than words.

Image: MTSOfan via Flickr