Leiden University Student Repository

Brasser, Renske (2026)

De rol van empathie in gezichtsimitatie: hoe volwassen vrouwen reageren op emotionele gezichtsuitdrukkingen van kinderen

Master thesis | Education and Child Studies (MSc)

During development, children use the emotional facial expressions of others as a guide for their own behavior in unfamiliar or uncertain situations. When observing other people’s facial expressions, muscles involved in imitating these observed expressions are activated. This is also referred to as facial mimicry. Facial mimicry plays a role in encouraging social interactions, reflects a person's emotional sensitivity and contributes to empathic engagement. Empathy is expressed by responding to others' facial expressions with similar expressions. The present study focuses on the influence of affective empathy on the automatic facial mimicry by adults when observing the facial expressions of children. The study used an experimental between-within subject design, in which the baseline facial mimicry of adult women was measured in response to the emotional facial expressions angry, happy and sad of children. The facial mimicry results from changes in the muscle activity and was measured...Show moreDuring development, children use the emotional facial expressions of others as a guide for their own behavior in unfamiliar or uncertain situations. When observing other people’s facial expressions, muscles involved in imitating these observed expressions are activated. This is also referred to as facial mimicry. Facial mimicry plays a role in encouraging social interactions, reflects a person's emotional sensitivity and contributes to empathic engagement. Empathy is expressed by responding to others' facial expressions with similar expressions. The present study focuses on the influence of affective empathy on the automatic facial mimicry by adults when observing the facial expressions of children. The study used an experimental between-within subject design, in which the baseline facial mimicry of adult women was measured in response to the emotional facial expressions angry, happy and sad of children. The facial mimicry results from changes in the muscle activity and was measured using electromyography, with facial electrodes placed on the corrugator supercilii and zygomaticus major muscles. The participants were instructed to watch a short video showing the different emotional facial expressions. Affective empathy was determined using the self-report Interpersonal Reactivity Index. The results show that facial mimicry was observed in both muscles due to changes in muscle activity. No significant effect was found for the relationship between mimicry behavior and self-reported empathy. However, the findings suggest that cognitive components of empathy may contribute to facial mimicry, as the interpretation and social meaning of emotional expressions appear to influence engagement and social approach. Stimulus characteristics and contextual information may also play a role in modulating empathic involvement. These findings highlight the complex interplay between automatic and cognitive mechanisms in facial mimicry and suggest that future research should explore alternative measures of empathy and contextual effects.Show less

Facial expressions, facial mimicry, affective empathy, muscle activity, electromyography, Interpersonal Reactivity Index

Author

Brasser, Renske

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

Forensische gezinspedagogiek

Supervisors

Spencer, H.
Bos, P.

ECTS Credits

20

Language

nl