Ekman's FACS (Facial Action Coding System)

Ekman's Facial Action Coding System (FACS) is a comprehensive framework for categorizing all human facial expressions based on specific muscle movements. Developed by psychologist Paul Ekman, FACS identifies 44 facial actions, called “action units,” that correspond to different emotions and expressions. By analyzing these movements, researchers and practitioners can understand emotional states and intentions. It is widely used in psychology, animation, and even security to interpret feelings such as happiness, sadness, anger, and fear, providing insight into non-verbal communication and enhancing our ability to connect with others.