Expressions

Categorizing Facial Expressions

Male and Female

Ferguson and Millum

• Marjorie Ferguson (1980) identified 4 female facial expressions that are typically on a front cover. Those expressions are called the chocolate box, invitational, super-smiler and romantic/ sexual.

• Trevor Millum (1975) also identified these categories of male and female expressions: carefree, practical, seductive, comic, catalogue.

Chocolate Box

• Female expression• Half or full smile• Minimal or no teeth showing • Face isn’t fully facing the camera

Invitational

• Female expression• Focuses mainly on the eyes• Mouth closed although smiling• Head slightly to one side

Super-Smiler

• Female expression • Shows full face• Showing teeth• Cheesy smile• Head tilted either back or forth

Romantic or Sexual

• Female expression• Includes male and female in photo• Seems as if it’s a dream• Very sexual or romantic

Carefree

• Male and female expression• Can be linked to sports• Shows they are active and healthy

Practical

• Male and female expression• Eyes focused and mouth closed• Seems to be concentrating

Seductive

• Male and female expression• Eyes slightly closed• Aim to look confident• Small expression although still shows through

Comic

• Male and female expression• Very exaggerated• Trying to act comical and funny

Catalogue

• Male and female expression• Very artificial and posed• Model will probably have their eyes wide with

a big smile