The Expression of the emotions in Man and Animals by Charles Darwin, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. Read this book online for free on HackerNoon!

From reasons which will presently be assigned, Sir C. Bell did not attempt to follow out his views as far as they might have been carried

With respect to our first Principle, it is notorious how powerful is the force of habit.

Many signs, moreover, which plainly stand in opposition to each other, appear to have had on both sides a significant origin.

Emotions and sensations have often been classed as exciting or depressing.

The cause of widely different sounds being uttered under different emotions and sensations is a very obscure subject.

Dogs have another and striking way of exhibiting their affection, namely, by licking the hands or faces of their masters.

No other monkey, as far as I have been able to ascertain, contracts its orbicular muscles whilst screaming.

The comers of the mouth are drawn downwards, which is so universally recognized as a sign of being out of spirits, that it is almost proverbial.

Idiots and imbecile persons likewise afford good evidence that laughter or smiling primarily expresses mere happiness or joy.

We may now inquire how it is that a frown should express the perception of something difficult or disagreeable, either in thought or action.

The body is commonly held erect ready for instant action, but sometimes it is bent forward towards the offending person, with the limbs more or less rigid.

The partial closure of the eyelids, as Duchenne insists, or the turning away of the eyes or of the whole body, are likewise highly expressive of disdain.

The cause of the mouth being opened when astonishment is felt, is a much more complex affair; and several causes apparently concur in leading to this movement.

I have endeavoured to show in considerable detail that all the chief expressions exhibited by man are the same throughout the world.

Here are the 5 practices to prevent strong emotions from overwhelming you, take control of the situation, and do damage control if you do end up acting out

To defuse an emotionally charged conversation, follow these four practices.