"Elderly people may be better at perceiving happiness and worse at perceiving fear" suggests the New Scientist based on a study by Leanne Williams and colleagues (Westmead Hospital in New South Wales, Australia). The researchers asked the study subjects to view pictures of people showing various facial expressions ranging from fear to happiness and from anger to disgust and sadness. Why exactly this is still largely unknown but it was found that older people more accurately recognized happy expressions while younger subjects were better at spotting fearful expressions.
My layman explanation is that in the societies of our ancestors it was typically the role of the younger people to participate in activities directly related to the survival of the community (hunting, fighting off invasions, etc.) in which recognition of such expression as aggression or fear could substantially contribute to the success of such expeditions.
Whichever way it is, I sure am looking forward to mellowing and recognizing only happy faces around me.
My layman explanation is that in the societies of our ancestors it was typically the role of the younger people to participate in activities directly related to the survival of the community (hunting, fighting off invasions, etc.) in which recognition of such expression as aggression or fear could substantially contribute to the success of such expeditions.
Whichever way it is, I sure am looking forward to mellowing and recognizing only happy faces around me.
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