Which of the following statements accurately reflects Darwin's impression of emotional expression?

• A. Emotional expressions are only present in humans and not in other animals.
• B. Emotional expressions are universal across human cultures and have evolutionary origins.
• C. Emotional expressions serve no adaptive function and are purely accidental.
• D. Emotional expressions are learned behaviors that vary significantly between societies.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context of Darwin's work on emotional expression, which is primarily discussed in his book 'The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals'.
2. Recall that Darwin proposed emotional expressions have evolutionary origins, meaning they are inherited traits shared across species due to common ancestry.
3. Recognize that Darwin emphasized the universality of emotional expressions across different human cultures, suggesting these expressions are biologically based rather than solely learned.
4. Note that Darwin argued against the idea that emotional expressions are purely accidental or have no adaptive function; instead, he believed they serve important communicative and survival purposes.
5. Conclude that the statement reflecting Darwin's impression is that emotional expressions are universal across human cultures and have evolutionary origins.