Lot’s of research has shown that a look can speak volumes between two people. But how did facial expressions get started originally, and why? Why do they look they way they do? Why do people smile when they’re happy? Why do they wrinkle their nose and raise their upper lip when they’re disgusted? Why do they raise their eyebrows and lift their eyelids when they’re afraid. Why these specific muscle actions?
A study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience says that facial expressions — such as a frown of disgust — may actually have a purpose that goes beyond simple communication.