Laterality in facial expressions and its effect on attributions of emotion and personality: a reconsideration.

Are there consistent differences between the emotions attributed to the right and left hemiface? Six studies investigated this old question, using a new technique of computerized image reconstruction that eliminates several confounding factors common in previous studies. Findings suggest that there are no consistent differences between the emotions and personality attributed to the right and the left hemiface. Nevertheless, when the two hemifaces were simultaneously compared on intensity, the left hemiface showed greater intensity in posed smiles. As a whole, the present study suggests the possibility of a slight inference of brain laterality in posed expressions, but not in resting faces.