ORIS: Professional Judgements on Skin Displacement in Facial Expressions

Collection of expert judgements on the direction and intensity of skin displacement in classic emotional expressions.

Abstract

How does facial skin actually move during an emotional expression?

The ORIS project investigates facial motor control from a mechanistic perspective, focusing on the direction and intensity of skin displacement, rather than on isolated muscle activation.

To refine the experimental paradigm, we are collecting professional judgements from experts who regularly observe facial movement in clinical or performative practice.

This page presents a brief online task aimed at gathering expert opinions on:

• Direction of skin displacement
• Intensity of displacement
• Confidence level in the judgement

1. Why It Matters

Most models of facial expressions rely on muscular descriptions (e.g., Action Units).

However, what the observer perceives is the visible deformation of the skin.

From the ORIS perspective:

• Expression is not merely muscular contraction
• It is a dynamic pattern of forces manifested through skin mechanics
• The perioral and periorbital regions may follow structured directional rules

Prior to formal experimental validation, it is essential to anchor the paradigm to real professional expertise.

2. Who It Is For

We invite professionals belonging to one of the following categories:

• Physiotherapist
• Actor
• Speech-Language Therapist
• Physician/Surgeon
• Orthoptist
• Illustrator (Visual Arts)

Before starting the task, on the opening screen:

• Copy the participant number assigned automatically and send it by email to:
  thomas.quettier@unicz.it
• Enter the code: ORIS in the code field
• Select your professional category from the drop-down menu

These professional fields involve systematic observation of facial movement for rehabilitative, diagnostic, or performative purposes.

3. The Task

The task is implemented in PsychoJS (online behavioural experiment).

For each trial:

1. A neutral face is displayed.
2. The name of an emotion appears (e.g., joy, anger, fear).
3. You are asked to indicate:
   • The direction of skin displacement (by orienting an arrow)
   • The intensity of displacement (by adjusting the arrow length)
4. The procedure is repeated for:
   • The mouth region (ORIS)
   • The eye region (OCULIS)
5. Finally, provide a confidence judgement (0–10).

There are no correct or incorrect answers.
We are interested in your experience-based professional intuition.

Estimated duration: 5–10 minutes
Required device: Desktop or laptop computer

4. Data and Privacy

The task records:

• Professional category
• Arrow direction (degrees)
• Arrow length
• Mouse coordinates
• Confidence level

No personally identifiable data are collected.
Data will be analysed in aggregate form for scientific research purposes.

5. Start the Task

👉 Start the ORIS Task – Professional Judgement

6. Open Science Commitment

• Paradigm available upon request
• Methodological transparency

If you would like to learn more or collaborate, feel free to contact me directly.