A leading neuropsychologist reveals what facial displays, body language, and vocal expressions tell us about the evolution and purpose of emotions in nature and society

Since the time of Charles Darwin, emotions have come to be viewed as adaptive benefits shaped by distinct anatomies, abilities, and environments. The Emotional Advantage draws on groundbreaking research into human and nonhuman expressions to reveal what scientists are learning about the evolutionary origins of emotions, how they manifest across species, and how this knowledge can benefit humans and other animals alike.

Emotions are expressed in many ways—through the face, body, voice, even smell. Mariska Kret takes readers into the lab, out into the field, and under the skin to describe how she and her team are studying these expressions using various innovative methods to understand what emotions are good for and how they influence others. She explains why expressions of fear, joy, and sadness evolved as they did and explores the importance of mental states like curiosity and empathy in shaping behavior, strengthening social bonds, and adapting to environmental advantages. She introduces readers to key debates about emotions in psychology and weighs the societal implications of advancing technologies like social media, AI, and social robots.

Blending vivid storytelling with the latest technological developments, The Emotional Advantage invites us to rethink the emotional lives of animals and humans alike, demonstrating how emotions are a unifying thread across species and cultures in an interconnected natural world.