More news from our research division has provided additional insight into the benefits of microexpression training.
In the first version of this series, we outlined 2 studies that Dr. Matsumoto and Dr. Hwang had conducted to study the effects of microexpression training.
The results of the studies illustrated that individuals can be trained to detect microexpressions and that such improvement may produce improvements in subsequent socially relevant behaviors.
We also mentioned that the knowledge obtained through this training was retained up to 2-3 weeks in comparison to those who did not have any formal training. The participants who had microexpression training were not only more accurate in detecting these emotions, but also quicker in their responses.
We also now know that knowledge obtained through microexpression training is not based on factors such as age and educational backgrounds.
Dr. Matsumoto and Dr. Hwang have conducted other studies to examine the benefits of microexpression training. These 3 studies examined University students, Japanese businessmen and a group of US law enforcement professionals.
All these studies showed that with microexpression training, an astounding amount of people showed an increase in their accuracy rates compared to those who had not received any training. In addition, not only were the participants more accurate after microexpression training, they were more confident in their responses than those who did not receive any training.
These studies also showed that it is possible to improve the ability to recognize microexpressions in as little as 30 minutes. This improvement was for males and females of different ethnicities and age groups. This suggests that neither age, ethnicity or gender can have an effect on how one can recognize microexpressions. With training, everyone can learn to detect them.
Finally, most individuals who took the microexpression training improved on their ability to detect all 7 emotions of anger, fear, disgust, contempt, happiness, sadness and surprise. In contrast, individuals who did not take any training only showed minor improvement in 3 of the 7 emotions.
It is also important to note that while there has been literature written on this topic, that we are waiting for them to be cleared for publication and release.
There are still many unanswered questions about microexpressions that need to be addressed through the process of this ongoing research. Rest assured that Dr. Matsumoto is currently examining the many questions that arise and hope to come out with new findings in the near future.
If you are interested in using MiX Microexpression Recognition Training in research, please contact Humintell
It’s delightful that you keep us informed on the progress and results of your studies. This is the kind of news I like to read. 🙂
This feels like an episode of “Lie to Me”, and the Lightman group. Very nice!
i believe that is best to publish the studies you made than this kind of news that seems more like publicity to your product.
Cristobal, We appreciate your comment. Of course, we want to share the benefits of microexpression training and prove to people that our training works. These findings by our research team validates the products that we sell. The studies are currently in the process of being published. As you may know, getting studies to be published within acclaimed, peer-reviewed journals is not a quick process. Rest assured that when the studies are published, we will be the first to publish them here.
As an academician I have two concerns. I presume they are properly covered, but thought I would ask. One is the issue of you having a vested interest in the research and the other is the use of the word “accuracy” – As you know in academic accuracy is not normally used but rather validity and reliability.
Since I will probably be using some of your training I am curious on these issues. No disrespect intended.
Dr. Camp
Dear Dr. Camp,
Here is Dr. Matsumoto’s response to your questions:
Yes we have a vested interest in the research. When our papers are sent to journals, we acknowledge such interests when we submit the paper, so that there is full disclosure during the review process. Also, we make our tools available to other researchers so that they can replicate our findings as has been done by Tamara Russell’s group. We certainly do not believe that our studies are the definitive, end-all studies on any topic; rather we believe that knowledge is based on the cumulative findings across researchers and methodologies. In the end, which researcher is NOT vested in his or her research?
On the accuracy issue – yes we believe we study accuracy in judgments of the facial expressions because we believe there is such a strong empirical base on what the ground truth of what the expressions are signaling. That empirical evidence for that ground truth allows us to make interpretations of accuracy, and not consensus. I believe that the field of facial expressions of emotion are one of the few in which such interpretations are justified.