Asymmetry in positive and negative facial expressions: Sex differences

Abstract

Facial asymmetry (facedness) during posed emotional expression was correlated with measures of lateral dominance in 48 right- and left-handed normal adults. Positive and negative aspects of expression were refined by factor analysis. The finding for males that facedness for pleasant expressions was positively correlated with handedness and footedness may reflect linguistic factors. Discussion covers the nature of and laterality for positive/negative, communicative/reactive and approach/withdrawal dimensions of emotional expression. © 1981.