CDFED — Chinese Dynamic Facial Expressions Database

The Chinese Dynamic Facial Expressions Database (CDFED) is a standardized dataset focusing on emotional facial expressions of Chinese individuals. This database includes facial expressions of 28 emotions displayed by 64 models, comprising a total of 1,778 static expression images and 1,778 corresponding dynamic expression video clips.

The emotion categories are: Anger (气愤), Anxiousness (焦急), Awe (令人惊叹), Bitter Smile (苦笑), Chuckle (偷笑), Confusion (困惑), Contempt (轻蔑), Discouragement (气馁), Disgust (厌恶), Distress (苦恼), Excitement (兴奋), Fear (恐惧), Grief (悲痛), Grievance (委屈), Grossed Out (恶心), Happiness (开心), Irresistible Laugh (忍俊不禁), Irritability (烦躁), Listlessness (萎靡), Pleasant Surprise (惊喜), Sadness (悲伤), Shyness (害羞), Sinister Smile (奸笑), Smile (微笑), Snicker (坏笑), Surprise (惊讶), Triumph (胜利), and Neutral (中性).

Each dynamic and static expression stimulus in CDFED is accompanied by detailed descriptive information, including emotion recognition rates, emotion dimension evaluations (covering five dimensions: intensity, clarity, valence, arousal, and authenticity), and the activated facial Action Units (AUs). For the neutral faces, the database additionally provides evaluation data on five dimensions: attractiveness, dominance, trustworthiness, unusualness, and masculinity–femininity.

Access

To access the CDFED, please complete and print the Database Usage Agreement. After signing it by hand, send a scanned PDF copy of the agreement to x.fang@zju.edu.cn.

Citation

Pan, Z., Tan, H., Liu, S., & Fang, X. (2026). Beyond the basic six, static, and WEIRD: Exploring the range of emotions conveyed by facial expressions. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 122, 104836. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2025.104836