Facial Expressions of Emotion 101
A 30-Minute Tutorial on the 7 Basic Facial Expressions of Emotion
Understand what faces are communicating with clarity, nuance, and scientific grounding.
WHAT THIS TRAINING IS ABOUT
Facial Expressions of Emotion 101 is a concise, research-based tutorial designed to help you recognize the seven basic (often considered universal) facial expressions of emotion: anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, surprise, and contempt.
Created by world-renowned facial expression expert Erika Rosenberg, Ph.D., this training blends visual learning, real facial examples, and clear explanations, without oversimplifying or sensationalizing emotional expression.
This is not about mind-reading.
It’s about learning to see what’s actually there.
Learn the 7 Basic Facial Expressions of Emotion in an easy-to-follow video tutorial with accompanying guide.
Deepen Your Knowledge
Explore Facial Expressions
Deepen Your Knowledge Explore Facial Expressions
We live in a world where communication is faster and more digital, which means that for an increasing amount of time each day we are removed from the face-to-face contexts that humans evolved to inhabit. As a result, we are starting to see an erosion of skill in people’s ability to interpret the nonverbal cues of those around them. Recognition of each other’s humanity through our shared expressions can help create a more empathetic world - it is a basic human skill that we need.
Misreading emotion can lead to:
Poor communication
Unnecessary conflict
Missed social cues
Faulty assumptions about intent
So I created something that is educational and accessible that takes us back to basics. It is a 30-minute tutorial focused on the seven universal facial expressions of emotion.
Why This Matters Right Now
This tutorial is designed for the everyday person as well as those who have studied the face in more depth. I demonstrate the prototypical facial expression associated with each emotion, explore subtle variations of form, and share key scientific insights that about each of these expressions.
This tutorial gives you a practical foundation in emotional literacy so you can:
Observe more clearly
Interpret more cautiously
Respond more effectively
Whether you work with people, lead teams, study behavior, or simply want to understand others (and yourself) better, this knowledge can change how you see human interaction.
Core Benefits
2. Attend to both clear indicators and more subtle variations of emotion expression in the face
1. Build awareness of emotion
3. Deepen your ability to observe nonverbal behavior
What You’ll Get
A 30-Minute Video Tutorial
Clear, accessible instruction demonstrating the prototypical facial expression of each emotion, along with subtle variations.
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Visual Reference Guide (PDF)
High-quality images of each facial expression shown alongside neutral expressions, with written descriptions to help you see what has changed in the face.
FACS Codes & Explanations
Facial Action Coding System (FACS) AU codes are provided for each expression, for those learners who know FACS.
What You’ll Learn
The defining facial features of each of the 7 basic emotions
How emotions can appear subtly or partially expressed
Why context always matters when interpreting facial expressions
The difference between observing expression and assuming emotional cause
This tutorial emphasizes careful observation, not judgment.
Who This Is For
This course is ideal for:
Therapists, coaches, and clinicians
Educators and researchers
HR professionals and leaders
Actors, writers, and creatives
UX, animation, and digital human designers
Anyone who wants to better understand emotional expression
* No prior background in psychology or FACS is required.
Learn the 7 Basic Facial Expressions of Emotion in an easy-to-follow video tutorial with accompanying guide.
Meet Your Instructor
Erika Rosenberg, Ph.D.
Scientist, Educator, Author & Consultant
Erika Rosenberg, Ph.D. is a world-renowned expert in facial expression, who trains and consults on facial measurement using the Facial Action Coding System (FACS) with academic, corporate, digital arts, and entertainment industry clients worldwide. She is the protégé of Paul Ekman, senior author of FACS, and has published widely on this measurement system, including educational materials and original scientific research, and currently is revising the official FACS manual. Dr. Rosenberg is Chief Scientific Officer at Humain, Ltd., a company that creates digital humans, fantasy creatures and digital doubles for many of the top entertainment and technology companies around the world.
Learn the 7 Basic Facial Expressions of Emotion in an easy-to-follow video tutorial with accompanying guide.