A complete scientific breakdown of emotions. Darwin's 3 principles, FACS codes, and how to master this chaos with the RADAR technique and MriyaRun Diary.
The Evolutionary Code: Why Your Face Reacts Faster Than Your Brain. From Darwin to RADAR
We train our bodies in gyms and our brains with books, yet we ignore the core of our "operating system"—emotions. While IQ gets you hired, EQ (Emotional Intelligence) determines your quality of life.
In 1872, Charles Darwin, in his often-overlooked work The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals, made a revolutionary claim: emotions are not "poetry of the soul" but biological vestiges. They are actions that once saved our ancestors. Today, we combine this theory, the modern Facial Action Coding System (FACS), and the practice of the MriyaRun Emotional Intelligence Diary to master self-regulation.
Part 1. The Foundation: Darwin’s Three Principles
Why do we cry when sad or bare teeth when angry? Darwin formulated three fundamental laws explaining every movement on your face.
1. The Principle of Serviceable Associated Habits
Certain complex movements were once physically necessary for survival. Even if useless now, we perform them out of habit when the associated state of mind arises.
- Human Example: Upon hearing terrible news, people often close their eyes. Darwin saw this as a habit associated with protecting vision from physical threats or bright flashes. The brain treats a "psychological blow" like a physical one.
- Animal Example: Dogs often circle and scratch the floor before sleeping. This is a vestige of wild ancestors trampling grass to make a safe bed26. Useless on a carpet, but the instinct remains.
2. The Principle of Antithesis
When our state changes to the exact opposite, we involuntarily perform movements anatomically opposite to the previous ones, even if they serve no direct utility. This ensures clear communication.
- Aggression vs. Submission: An aggressive dog stands stiff, tail up, ears forward (maximizing size). A submissive greeting dog crouches, lowers the tail, and pins ears back. It becomes the "anatomical negative" of the aggressor.
- Humans: A confident person stands tall. A helpless person shrugs and opens their palms—the antithesis of a prepared fighter, signaling an inability to act physically.
3. Direct Action of the Nervous System
These are involuntary reactions. When the nervous system is overloaded, excess energy "overflows" into the body.
- Examples include trembling from fear (releasing muscle tension), sweating from pain, blushing from shame, or pallor from terror31. It is simply the physiological "exhaust" of an overheated engine.
Part 2. The Anatomy of Feeling: Decoding via FACS
In the 1970s, Paul Ekman and Wallace Friesen turned Darwin's observations into an exact science—FACS (Facial Action Coding System). They identified 44 "Action Units" (AU). Here is the "code" of your emotions32:
? Anger: Code $4+5+7+23$
- Mechanism: Brows lower and draw together (AU 4), eyelids raise (AU 5), lips press tight (AU 23)33.
- Evolutionary Meaning: Frowning protects eyeballs from blows and focuses vision on the enemy ("tunnel vision")34. Pressed lips hold back a scream, while baring canines (in rage) is preparation to bite—an atavism of combat35.
? Fear: Code $1+2+4+5+20+26$
- Mechanism: Eyes wide open (AU 5), brows raised and drawn together (AU 1+2+4), mouth stretched horizontally (AU 20)36.
- Evolutionary Meaning: Wide eyes expand the field of vision to detect threats faster37. An open mouth allows for rapid oxygen intake for the "fight or flight" response38.
? Sadness: Code $1+4+15$
- Mechanism: Inner corners of eyebrows raise, forming a horseshoe or "omega" shape on the forehead (AU 1+4). Mouth corners drop (AU 15)39.
- Evolutionary Meaning: Darwin called the muscle lifting the inner brows the "Grief Muscle." This expression is incredibly hard to fake. It signals the tribe: "I need help, my resources are depleted"40.
? Disgust: Code $9+15$
- Mechanism: Nose wrinkles (AU 9), upper lip raises41.
- Evolutionary Meaning: An attempt to block nasal passages from toxic smells and expel spoiled food from the mouth42.
Part 3. From Theory to Control: The "RADAR" Technique
Knowing anatomy gives you power. You realize your anger is just tension in the corrugator supercilii muscle and an adrenaline spike.
To avoid being held hostage by these ancient programs, MriyaRun developed a method for emotional processing via journaling. The Emotional Intelligence Diary is your control panel.
The "RADAR" Technique:
- R — Recognize: Read your code. Clenched jaw? Hot face? Name it: "I feel anger."
- A — Accept: Don't judge yourself. It’s just Darwin’s Principle #1 activating a defense mechanism.
- D — Deep Dive (Investigate): Why now? Is there a real threat or just a rude comment? Where do you feel it in your body?
- A — Activate Solution: Breathe, walk away, or write it down. Transform the energy (Principle #3) into action, not destruction.
- R — Result: Note the change in your state.
Conclusion
Emotions are our oldest navigation system. Ignoring them is like driving blindfolded. The EQ Diary helps stop the mental spiral (since an emotion only lives in the body for 90 seconds) and start living mindfully.
Take control of evolution: Order the Emotional Intelligence Diary here.
Read more on MriyaRun News.
- MriyaRun | Psych Journals, Workbooks & MAC Cards
- Tools & Resources
- Evolution of Emotions: Darwin, FACS & RADAR Technique