Search This Blog

Why Do We Widen Our Eyes in Fear and Surprise and Narrow Our Eyes in Anger and Disgust?

Why do we widen and narrow our eyes when we feel different emotions?
Eye widening vs. Eye narrowing

Eye widening - Fear and Surprise - The eye widening increases light and sensitivity, expands our field of vision and we see more of what we like or what is threatening.

Eye narrowing - Anger and Disgust - The eye narrowing squint reduces light and sharpens our focus on the source of our displeasure.


Patti Wood, MA - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com.