ABSTRACT
Micro-expressions (MEs), brief and uncontrollable facial movements that last only a fraction of a second, are windows into the innermost thoughts and emotions of others. In the past decade, MEs analysis techniques have evolved gradually from psychological-based to computer vision-based due to the ongoing advancement of computer technology. An essential component of MEs analysis called MEs spotting has drawn increasing attention. Recently, a few review articles on MEs have been released, however the majority of them lacked a thorough examination of MEs spotting and instead concentrated mostly on MEs recognition. Therefore, this review article aims to conduct an analysis of the methods, uses, and constraints of MEs spotting, a key aspect of non-verbal communication analysis. The review starts out by exploring the psychological and physiological bases of MEs and explaining their evolutionary significance as well as their applicability in various social circumstances. MEs spotting are used in psychology to evaluate emotional states, spot dishonesty, and guide psychotherapeutic therapies. MEs spotting improve empathy and general awareness of emotional cues in interpersonal interactions. The article, however, is not afraid to confront the major issues facing the discipline, such as the cultural and contextual heterogeneity of MEs, ethical issues, and the requirement for ongoing training to maintain spotting accuracy. In summary, this review article functions as an all-encompassing reference for individuals in the fields of research, practical application, and education who have an interest in the diverse area of identifying malicious entities. It underscores the interdisciplinary nature of this field and its potential to revolutionize human interaction analysis, decision-making processes, and emotional well-being across a spectrum of applications.
