Page 260 - Biobehavioral Resilence to Stress

Resilience and Personality 237

smiles known as Duchenne expressions* can be reliably coded from muscle
contractions of the orbicularis oculi muscles around the eye. By contrast,
non-Duchenne expressions—laughs or smiles that are not accompanied by
a contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscles—are typically not associated
with the genuine experience of positive emotion (e.g., Ekman & Friesen, 1982;
Bonanno & Keltner, 2004). Rather, non-Duchenne expressions are usually
polite social markers, attempts to mask true feelings or to communicate
appeasement (Bonanno, Keltner et al., 2002; Bugental, 1986; Ekman &
Friesen, 1982; Ekman, Friesen & O’Sullivan, 1988; Hecht & LaFrance, 1988;
Keltner, 1995; Prkachin & Silverman, 2002). Bonanno and colleagues have
observed that Duchenne expressions of genuine positive emotions are evi-
denced by the majority of bereaved individuals in the early months aft er
their loss (Bonanno, Wortman et al., 2002; Keltner & Bonanno, 1997) and
further that these early expressions of genuine positive emotions are predic-
tive of better psychological and social adjustments over subsequent years of
bereavement. Consistent with the hypothesized social integration function
of positive emotions, Duchenne expressions also tend to evoke more favora-
ble responses in observers (Keltner & Bonanno, 1997).
The expression of positive emotion may also exert a salutary effect in the

context of traumatic events more broadly defined. For example, Duchenne
expressions among young adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse have
been found to predict better adjustment and better social relationships
(Bonanno, Colak et al., 2005). It is important to note, however, that although
positive emotional expression in the context of a socially stigmatized event
such as childhood sexual abuse may predict better adjustment, it may also
carry certain costs such as decreased social competence. Recently, Fredrickson
et al. (2003) found that the relation between personal resilience and adjust-

ment after the September 11th terrorist attacks was mediated by the experi-
ence of positive emotions (e.g., gratitude, interest, love). Several studies have

also linked the salutary coping effects of positive emotions to personality
variables such as self-enhancement (Bonanno et al., 2005), emotional disso-
ciation or repressive coping (Bonanno & Keltner, 1997), and ego resilience
(Fredrickson et al., 2003).

Ego resilience. Several decades ago, Block and his colleagues found that
†
children who had high levels of ego control were more likely to respond in

* This term was coined in honor of nineteenth century physiologist Duchenne de Bologne,

who fi rst identified the marker for the expression (Duchenne de Bologne, 1962). Duchenne
expressions have been consistently and unambiguously associated with genuine positive
emotion (Duchenne de Bologne, 1962; Ekman & Friesen, 1982; Frank, Ekman & Friesen,
1993; Keltner & Bonanno, 1997).
† Ego control refers to the ability to inhibit aggressive impulses and to postpone gratifi ca-
tion of immediate desires in order to pursue long-term goals and intentions.

1/22/2008 6:34:32 PM
CRC_71777_Ch009.indd 237 1/22/2008 6:34:32 PM
CRC_71777_Ch009.indd 237