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Facial expression of pain – more than a fuzzy expression of distress?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 August 2003

Christiane Hermann  and
Herta Flor
Christiane Hermann
Affiliation:
Department of Neuropsychology, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, D-68159 Mannheim, Germanychermann@zi-mannheim.deflor@zi-mannheim.de
Herta Flor
Affiliation:
Department of Neuropsychology, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, D-68159 Mannheim, Germanychermann@zi-mannheim.deflor@zi-mannheim.de
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Abstract

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Facial expressions of pain may be best conceptualized as an example of an evolved propensity to communicate distress, rather than as a distinct category of facial expression. The operant model goes beyond the evolutionary account, as it can explain how the (facial) expression of pain can become maladaptive as a result of its capability to elicit attention and caring behavior in the observer.

Type
Brief Report
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 25 , Issue 4 , August 2002 , pp. 462 - 463
Copyright
© 2002 Cambridge University Press