Background
The free expression by outward signs of an emotion intensifies it. On the other hand, the repression, as far as this is possible, of all outward signs softens our emotions... Even the simulation of an emotion tends to arouse it in our minds. -Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin was among the first to suggest that physiological changes caused by an emotion had a direct impact on, rather than being just the consequence of that emotion.
Refuse to express a passion, and it dies - William James
Following on this idea, William James proposed that contrary to common belief, awareness of bodily changes activated by a stimulus "is the emotion". If no bodily changes are felt, there is only an intellectual thought, devoid of emotional warmth.
This proved difficult to test, and apart from studies of people with severely impaired emotional functioning, and some animal research, little evidence was available. The facial feedback hypothesis, "that skeletal muscle feedback from facial expressions plays a causal role in regulating emotional experience and behaviour" developed almost a century after Darwin.
Read more about this topic: Facial Feedback Hypothesis
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