AU6 — Cheek Raiser
The Action Unit produced by the orbicularis oculi (pars orbitalis), which raises the cheeks and produces crow's-feet around the eyes. It does not establish emotion.
AU6 describes cheek raising and the movement around the outer eyes. Research has associated it with several expression patterns, but it does not establish authentic positive emotion.
AU6 combined with AU12 is the pattern historically called a Duchenne smile. AU6 can also appear with squinting or other movements, so the source footage and context remain essential.
Related terms: action unit, duchenne smile, au12 lip corner puller, facial action coding system
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