How To Read The O-Face – The Pain Face Of An Orgasm
Christopher Philip
In the name of science, Spanish researchers analyzed short video clips that volunteers had submitted to an Internet site (http://www.beautifulagony.com) in order to discern the most prominent facial patterns experienced during orgasm.
In total, 100 video clips were collected and coded for facial action groups. Clips consisted of edited versions of the original tapes including substantial portions of the excitement and plateau phases and sometimes the resolution phase occurring after the orgasm.
Next, trained coders analyzed the clips by using Facial Action Coding System or FACS. This consists of tracking muscular movements of the face.
Results showed that facial expressions of sexual excitement resembled the expression of pain.
A pain-face includes brow lower to a frown, orbit tightening including cheek raise or tight eyelids, upper lip raise and eye closure. Characteristic of the pain face also includes lip corner pull, lips part, and jaw drop.
The results found that all of these action units were found in the sexual excitement phase. However, interestingly, no two people showed identical facial patterns, but they did show a similar limited range of movements.
Overall, say the researchers, the data confirms that pain and sexual excitement share a striking similarity to pain, although they admit that they are probably not identical.
The question remains, does the “pain-face” of orgasm represent a relevant communicative signal between partners, or is it merely the result of intense muscular reflexes.
While the answer is debatable according to the researchers, the fact that humans habitually copulate face-to-face tells us that there is a very good chance that the signals were designed, at some level, to be read by others.
“Additionally,” say the researchers “if the facial expression linked to sexual excitement—an activity of such extraordinary importance for the survival of the species—is just muscular tension with no communicative content, is there any reason to assume a specific emotional meaning to any grimace, scowl, or frown displayed in other highly arousing situations?”
“Are frowns, scowls, and grimaces—either in pleasure or displeasure—mere expressions of muscular tension, blank displays that take psychological meaning from the perceiver’s rather than the sender’s mind?”
What do you think?
Image Credit: Pierre Lognoul
Resources
Fernandez-Dols, Jose-Miguel; Pilar Carrera and Carlos Crivelli. Facial Behavior While Experiencing Sexual Excitement. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior. 2019. 35: 63–71
DOI 10.1007/s10919-010-0097-7.