Facial Expression at the Crossroads

The assumption that there are a number (typically six) of universal expressions of some evolutionary acquired emotions has undergone theoretical and methodological criticisms based on a growing number of empirical findings. Thus, the field is at a crossroad: should the concept of expression of basic emotion disappear as a viable scientific concept? Should researchers give it less importance as a channel for the communication of affective states? Or should it become a more expansive, catch-all concept that encompasses a large number of communication channels and affective states? We describe the evolution of the field over the last 50 years and the problems that led to these dilemmas.