The impact of social context on mimicry

Abstract

Facial mimicry, the tendency to imitate other's facial expressions, has frequently been described as a reflex-like mechanism that function independent of the relationship between expresser and observer. However, there is also evidence suggesting that it is a social cue regulating social interactions and that consequently mimicry varies as a function of social context and the type of emotion expression shown. Two studies were conducted to the assess impact of social group membership and type of expression on facial mimicry. Results suggest that the level of facial mimicry varies as a function of group membership. Moreover, mimicry levels were influenced by the kind of emotion displayed by the expresser. Although participants mimicked happiness displays regardless of the expresser's group membership, negative emotions were either not mimicked or only when shown by an ingroup member.