The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals

Published in 1872, this is the culmination of Darwin's extensive research into the shared features of human and animal expression.

Charles Darwin (Author)

9781108061834, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 September 2013

400 pages, 28 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.3 cm, 0.51 kg

When this monograph was first published in 1872, there already existed a good deal of thought on facial expression via the study of physiognomy; this work, notes Charles Darwin (1809–82), was full of 'surprising nonsense'. Setting aside the assumption of previous studies that human facial muscles were created specifically for a range of expressions unique to the species, Darwin sets out here to make a systematic study of both human and animal expression. The range of his research is extraordinarily wide: he not only experimented on himself, but observed infants, consulted doctors in psychiatric hospitals and sent out requests to missionaries and travellers for first-hand notes on the expressions of aboriginal peoples. Learned, meticulous and illustrated with an impressive array of drawings, photographs and engravings, Darwin's work stands as an important contribution to the study of human behaviour and its origins.

Introduction
1. General principles of expression
2. General principles of expression (continued)
3. General principles of expression (concluded)
4. Means of expression in animals
5. Special expressions of animals
6. Special expressions of man: suffering and weeping
7. Low spirits, anxiety, grief, dejection, despair
8. Joy, high spirits, love, tender feelings, devotion
9. Reflection, meditation, ill-temper, sulkiness, determination
10. Hatred and anger
11. Disdain, contempt, disgust, guilt, pride, etc.
12. Surprise, astonishment, fear, horror
13. Self-attention, shame, shyness, modesty, blushing
14. Concluding remarks and summary
Index.

Subject Areas: Evolution [PSAJ]