Mirror-reversal of a face is perceived as expressing emotions more intensely

Behav Neurol. 1996;9(3):115-7. doi: 10.3233/BEN-1996-93-402.

Abstract

This study examined hemispatial bias in a free-viewing condition of the judgement of facial expressions of emotions. Right-handed male subjects were asked to judge the intensity, in terms of expressiveness, of facial emotion in normal and mirror-reversed orientations. Expressions in mirror-reversed orientation were perceived as more intense than in normal orientation.

Keywords: Asymmetry; Emotional expression; Face processing; Handedness.