Certain facial expressions innate
Joyful or sad smiles expressed after a competition are the same for blind and sighted athletes, according to a new study, showing that certain facial expressions are innate and managed differently depending on the social situation (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 96: 1-10).
For the first time, a group of researchers was able to show that recognisable facial expressions develop before birth and that, as the pregnancy progresses from 24 to 36 weeks gestation, fetal facial movements become more complex.