Asymmetry of the Face at Rest: Size, Area and Emotional Expression

In a sample of 53 right-handed, young adult males, asymmetry was examined in the size of 11 facial regions, in total area, and in emotional expression of the face at rest. In the complete sample no evidence was obtained of consistent asymmetry in size of facial regions, in facial area, or in emotional expression. There was, however, an interaction between family history of sinistrality and sighting dominance in facial asymmetry for the pleasantness/unpleasantness of facial expression. The findings suggest that previously established asymmetries in phasic emotional displays are not an outcome of expressive or morphological asymmetries of the face at rest.