SAGE Lecture by Rachel Jack
Speaker
Rachel JackLocation
Sage, Psych 1312Info
Rachael Jack is a Professor of Computational Social Cognition in the School of Psychology & Neuroscience and Head of the Centre for Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (cSCAN) at the University of Glasgow. Jack's research has produced significant advances in understanding facial expression of emotion within and across cultures using a novel interdisciplinary approach that combines psychophysics, social psychology, dynamic 3D computer graphics, and communication/information theory. Most notably, she has revealed cultural specificities in facial expressions of emotion; that four, not six, expressive patterns are common across cultures; and that facial expressions transmit information in a hierarchical structure over time. Together, Jack’s work has challenged the dominant view that six basic facial expressions of emotion are universal, which has led to a new theoretical framework of facial expression communication that she is now transferring to digital agents to synthesize culturally sensitive social avatars and robots.
Title: Understanding Cultural Diversity in Facial Expressions of Emotion
Abstract: Are facial expressions of emotion culturally universal? This question has fueled scholarly debate for over a century, challenging researchers to decode the complex dynamic facial movements humans display. While methodological limitations have long hindered progress, recent advancements in data-driven technologies now offer unprecedented opportunities to unravel this mystery. Working with interdisciplinary colleagues, I have worked to push the boundaries of how we understand facial expression communication across cultures. In this talk, I will highlight research that has reshaped foundational theories and expanded real-world applications, including social robotics.
