Incidental retrieval of prior emotion mimicry

When observing emotional expressions, similar sensorimotor states are 3 activated in the observer, often resulting in physical mimicry. For example, when 4 observing a smile, the zygomaticus muscles associated with smiling are activated in the 5 observer; and when observing a frown, the corrugator brow muscles. We show that the 6 consistency of an individual’s facial emotion, whether they always frown or smile, can 7 be encoded into memory. When the individuals are viewed at a later time expressing no 8 emotion, muscle mimicry of the prior state can be detected, even when the emotion 9 itself is task irrelevant. The results support simulation accounts of memory where prior 10 embodiments of other’s states during encoding are reactivated when re-encountering a 11 person.