Easoning–and apply synchrony as a tool for fostering theory of mind.AcknowledgmentsThe authors would prefer to thank Y27632 dihydrochloride Aiyana Willard, Benjamin Purzycki, and Michael Muthukrishna for their valuable comments within the writing of this paper.Frontiers in Psychology | www.frontiersin.orgJune 2015 | Volume six | ArticleBaimel et al.Behavioral synchrony and theory of mind
Facial expressions of pain are salient social signals of possible physical threat (Williams, 2002). It has been not too long ago re-emphasized that the consequences of pain expressions could potentially be profound, not just for the sufferer, but also for the observer (Hadjistavropoulos et al., 2011). As an example, observation of pain in other people may well elicit empathy and 
worry responses within the observer,Frontiers in Psychology | www.frontiersin.orgJuly 2015 | Volume 6 | ArticleKhatibi et al.Observation of discomfort and action readinessassociated with hypervigilance to threat, improved urge for avoidance of pain/threat-related signals, and elevated perception of pain within the observer (Goubert et al., 2005; Khatibi et al., 2014). Indeed, there are some indications that the observation of others’ painful facial expressions has an effect on responses to pain among healthful individuals. The observation of pain in the faces of other folks increases the observer’s nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) in response to a painful electrocutaneous stimulus, which has been taken to reflect an elevated readiness for taking (avoidance) action (VachonPresseau et al., 2011; Mailhot et al., 2012; Khatibi et al., 2014). Additionally, the observation of others’ painful facial expressions has been shown to possess an effect on discomfort perception in healthier people. Much more specifically, observing painful facial expressions improved perceived unpleasantness of an electrocutaneous stimulus but had no impact on perceived intensity (Vachon-Presseau et al., 2011; Mailhot et al., 2012; Khatibi et al., 2014). Observing painful facial expressions, as when compared with observing neutral, joyful, or fearful expressions, also enhanced perception of thermally induced discomfort (Reicherts et al., 2013). In all aforementioned research on the influence of the observation of painful facial expressions on readiness for action or pain perception so far, expressions had been presented in optimal visual situations, and have been thus clearly visible towards the observer. They draw the attention towards the capacity for the understanding from the affective state of other folks and its contribution towards the preparation of proper reaction (Jackson et al., 2005). On the other hand, you can find research suggesting that conscious buy Salianic acid A processing of feelings is not needed plus the neural system’s response towards the emotional expression of other people will not rely on the explicit processing of expressions and is reflective in nature (Davis and Whalen, 2001). Contemplating discomfort as an emotional expertise, it can be unknown no matter whether conscious processing of facial expressions is needed for the facilitation of responses, or whether semantic, non-social processing of emotion within the expression alone can influence readiness for action. Inside the present study, we aimed to investigate the impact of sub-optimal presentation of painful facial expressions on readiness for action in healthy men and women. Prior research have shown that sub-optimally presented stimuli may be processed semantically and can influence our behavior (Van den Bussche et al., 2009; Schrooten et al., 2011). So it can be expected that also sub-optima.Easoning–and apply synchrony as a tool for fostering theory of mind.AcknowledgmentsThe authors would like to thank Aiyana Willard, Benjamin Purzycki, and Michael Muthukrishna for their valuable comments in the writing of this paper.Frontiers in Psychology | www.frontiersin.orgJune 2015 | Volume six | ArticleBaimel et al.Behavioral synchrony and theory of thoughts
Facial expressions of pain are salient social signals of possible physical threat (Williams, 2002). It has been lately re-emphasized that the consequences of pain expressions could potentially be profound, not merely for the sufferer, but also for the observer (Hadjistavropoulos et al., 2011). As an example, observation of discomfort in other people may perhaps elicit empathy and fear responses in the observer,Frontiers in Psychology | www.frontiersin.orgJuly 2015 | Volume 6 | ArticleKhatibi et al.Observation of pain and action readinessassociated with hypervigilance to threat, elevated urge for avoidance of pain/threat-related signals, and elevated perception of pain within the observer (Goubert et al., 2005; Khatibi et al., 2014). Indeed, you’ll find some indications that the observation of others’ painful facial expressions has an impact on responses to discomfort among wholesome people. The observation of discomfort in the faces of other people today increases the observer’s nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) in response to a painful electrocutaneous stimulus, which has been taken to reflect an elevated readiness for taking (avoidance) action (VachonPresseau et al., 2011; Mailhot et al., 2012; Khatibi et al., 2014). Furthermore, the observation of others’ painful facial expressions has been shown to possess an effect on pain perception in healthful men and women. Far more specifically, observing painful facial expressions increased perceived unpleasantness of an electrocutaneous stimulus but had no effect on perceived intensity (Vachon-Presseau et al., 2011; Mailhot et al., 2012; Khatibi et al., 2014). Observing painful facial expressions, as compared to observing neutral, joyful, or fearful expressions, also increased perception of thermally induced discomfort (Reicherts et al., 2013). In all aforementioned studies on the influence of the observation of painful facial expressions on readiness for action or pain perception so far, expressions had been presented in optimal visual conditions, and were therefore clearly visible towards the observer. They draw the attention towards the capacity for the understanding on the affective state of other people and its contribution to the preparation of suitable reaction (Jackson et al., 2005). On the other hand, 
there are studies suggesting that conscious processing of feelings isn’t essential plus the neural system’s response for the emotional expression of other people doesn’t depend on the explicit processing of expressions and is reflective in nature (Davis and Whalen, 2001). Thinking about discomfort as an emotional expertise, it is actually unknown whether or not conscious processing of facial expressions is required for the facilitation of responses, or whether or not semantic, non-social processing of emotion in the expression alone can influence readiness for action. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of sub-optimal presentation of painful facial expressions on readiness for action in wholesome men and women. Prior research have shown that sub-optimally presented stimuli is often processed semantically and may influence our behavior (Van den Bussche et al., 2009; Schrooten et al., 2011). So it might be expected that also sub-optima.