By Rebecca Boyle Posted 05.29.2012 at 11:01 am 8 Comments

Happy or Mad? Can you tell which of these smiles is showing happiness, or which one is the result of frustration? A computer system developed at MIT can. The answer: The smile on the right is the sign of frustration. Hoque et al/MIT

You may not notice it — at least not as much as you notice when you smile sarcastically — but you smile when you’re frustrated. It’s more like a surprised grimace than a happy grin, but the difference is subtle. So subtle that humans can hardly detect it, actually — but a computer can. New research with smile-detection could help people interpret others’ expressions, including people with autism, according to scientists at MIT.

Students in MIT’s Media Lab are hoping to improve face-to-face communication, and working with computers to break down the cues that differentiate emotions. Grad student Ehsan Hoque and his colleagues recorded volunteers’ expressions in a range of situations.

First, people were asked to act out expressions of happiness or frustration; second, they watched a video of a cute baby and then filled out an arduous form, only to have its contents deleted when they hit “submit” — an exercise in frustration. Then Hoque and colleagues compared the facial expressions. Ninety percent of the frustration fakers did not smile, but when they were genuinely frustrated, they did, he found. There’s little difference in the actual smile, but its progression is what counts. A delighted smile grows slowly, building gradually to a full-on grin. A frustrated smile erupts instantly but fades fast.

When it comes to smiling, timing can be everything, Hoque tells MIT News. Remember Herman Cain? MIT also notes Gordon Brown, the former British prime minister, whose grin was supposedly phony because of its odd timing.

A more nuanced view of smiling could be used to train computers to monitor human emotions more effectively, the researchers say. That could help computers determine what we want from them or when we’re frustrated or overworked, perhaps. It could also help people who have difficulty ascertaining emotions, such as autistic patients, they say.

The work appears in IEEE Transactions on Affective Computing.

[MIT News]

8 Comments

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Space
05/29/12 at 11:26 am

Hmm, this algorithm type program may be used in the back ground of video conferences. I can see this give rise to more avatars, to hide the true objectives of the speakers.

..........................................
See life in all its beautiful colors, and
from different perspectives too!

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gizmowiz
05/29/12 at 1:00 pm

I need no algorithm to determine a false smile--Obama's face is nothing BUT false smiles! It's his extreme egoism same as you can see on a smug Hitler when he smiled.

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Robot
05/29/12 at 2:56 pm

Of the picture top left, I think the guy is planning to rob a donut shop. Of the picture top right, this guy just discovered the 'any key' on his key board for the first time. Of the smile from Human Cain; I always think he's passing gas.

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JediMindset
05/29/12 at 4:20 pm

my theory is that Herman Cain is a reptilian alien. he has human skin over his true self. reptilian shape-shifters exist within our government. they have infiltrated all major agencies(specifically the FBI) and are planning a mass invasion. planet X is on its way and the mothership is camouflaged on its surface. i suggest we all welcome them with open arms or we will all be annihilated.

"religion is like a prison for the seekers of wisdom"

-Killah Priest

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Robot
05/30/12 at 8:08 am

JediMindset,
Not all aliens eliminate you. Some feed you for a spell and have dinner. If you want to survive the up and coming alien invasion, you may want to lose a few pounds, lol. Oh, do not forget, these aliens like their meat fresh and wiggly.

I agree with you. Herman Cain could easily be a reptilian alien shape shifter.

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Robot
05/30/12 at 9:21 am

To the young man in the picture, invest in 2 veneer crowns on each side of you two front teeth. Your teeth are naturally beautiful white and with 2 veneer crowns, you have a perfect smile.

Oh, your natural smile is nice too. I see sincerity!

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JediMindset
05/30/12 at 1:21 pm

@Robot,

the aunnaki can communicate with us telepathically. when the time is right i shall invite them to diner and make them the best cooked roadkill i can find!!!!

"religion is like a prison for the seekers of wisdom"

-Killah Priest



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