What do microexpressions typically communicate?

Microexpressions are brief, involuntary facial expressions that occur in response to an emotion, revealing feelings that a person may be attempting to conceal. They typically last just a fraction of a second, making them difficult to detect. When individuals suppress their emotions, microexpressions can betray their true feelings despite their efforts to mask them. For example, someone may try to appear calm and composed, but a fleeting microexpression of fear or anger can reveal their underlying emotional state.

The other options focus on different aspects of communication. While joyful feelings can certainly be expressed through microexpressions, they are not the primary function of microexpressions. Intentions behind actions relate more to behavioral cues and context rather than the fleeting displays of suppressed emotions. Additionally, social interactions encompass a broader range of nonverbal and verbal communication that go beyond just the quick indicators provided by microexpressions. Thus, the primary purpose of microexpressions is to communicate emotions that are being suppressed, making this the most accurate choice.