More than just a pretty face?

Our faces convey a wealth of information to an observer, which is based on both static and dynamic cues. It is the static cues, such as the shape and configuration of facial features, which give rise to the more obvious cues signalled by a face: identity, gender, and attractiveness. However, dynamic movements of the facial muscles signal important social information such as the emotional state and the direction of attention of an individual. Recent advances in the functional imaging of the human brain function, combined with studies of brain-damaged patients, have allowed us to localize those regions of the brain which mediate the recognition and interpretation of facially-conveyed information, and allow a greater understanding of these regions' purpose and function.