Final answer:
Scientists have turned to studying facial expressions to determine the range of human emotions. Paul Ekman's research shows that there are seven universal emotions each with distinct expressions, and even congenitally blind individuals express these emotions in the same way. The correct answer is option: A) facial expressions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rather than relying solely on studies of words for emotional states to determine how many emotions humans experience, scientists have turned to studying facial expressions. This is informed by the pioneering work of psychologists like Paul Ekman, who traveled to New Guinea to observe the expressions of people who had lived in isolation.
Despite cultural differences, the ability to produce and recognize facial expressions associated with emotions is remarkably universal. Ekman's research, along with others, supports the existence of seven universal emotions: happiness, surprise, sadness, fright, disgust, contempt, and anger, each with distinct facial expressions. This understanding complements the facial feedback hypothesis, which suggests that facial expressions can affect emotional experience, indicative of a bi-directional relationship between expression and emotion.
Furthermore, this research demonstrates that even congenitally blind individuals, who have never seen these facial expressions, instinctively display the same expressions of emotion. This finding supports the notion that there is a biological basis to the way emotions are expressed through facial movements. The role of cultural display rules in modulating the expression of emotion, alongside physiological responses such as heart rate and sweating, indicates that while there are universal aspects of emotional expression, cultural factors can influence how and when emotions are shown.