The profound impact of facial withholding is famously demonstrated in developmental psychology by Dr. Edward Tronick’s "Still Face Experiment." When a mother suddenly stops interacting and assumes a expressionless, blank face, the infant quickly becomes distressed, attempts to regain her attention, and eventually collapses into despair and withdrawal. When this "still face" or a hostile face becomes a permanent fixture of parenting, the trauma becomes chronic. Psychological Consequences of Facial and Emotional Abuse