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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2010 Nov 9.
Published in final edited form as: Nat Rev Neurosci. 2008 Dec 3;10(1):37–47. doi: 10.1038/nrn2554

Figure 4. The proposed model of the development of emotion-recognition mechanisms.

Figure 4

It is proposed that the basic organization of the emotion-recognition networks is specified by an experience-expectant neural circuitry that emerges at 5–7 months of age and is rapidly refined by exposure to universal features of expressions during a sensitive period of development (perhaps the first few years of life). The network retains some plasticity throughout life span and can be fine-tuned by individual-specific experiences (i.e., experience-dependent development). Also, functional connectivity between emotion processing networks and other prefrontal regulatory systems continues to develop until adolescence. The development is affected by genetic factors (e.g., functional polymorphisms that affect reactivity of relevant neural systems), environmental factors (frequency of certain emotional expressions), and their interaction. The depicted time points might become more specific as more data become available.