Dance has always been a medium through which emotions are expressed. While dance styles and techniques may vary across cultures, the emotional message conveyed through dance remains universal. Researchers have studied the emotional expression in dance across different cultures, and several studies have highlighted the unique ways in which dance is used to convey emotions.

Studies have shown that in Western cultures, dance is often used to express individualism and personal freedom, while in Eastern cultures, dance is more communal, and the focus is on group harmony and social connectedness. For example, in a study conducted by the University of Amsterdam, researchers found that dancers of different cultures had different movements for expressing pride, shame, joy, and sadness. The researchers found that dancers from Western cultures tended to use larger, more exaggerated movements to convey these emotions, while dancers from Eastern cultures used smaller, more subtle movements.

Another study by researchers at the Université Pierre et Marie Curie found that dancers were able to express a wider range of emotions through dance than through verbal communication. This study also found that when dancers were asked to communicate a specific emotion, such as anger or sadness, they tended to use similar movements and expressions across different cultures.

The use of dance in therapeutic settings has also been studied, with researchers finding that dance therapy can be an effective way to help people express and manage their emotions. In a study conducted by the University of Hertfordshire, researchers found that dance therapy helped children with autism express their emotions more effectively and improved their overall social skills.

Dance has also been used as a way to promote social change and raise awareness about social issues. For example, the “One Billion Rising” movement, founded by choreographer and activist Eve Ensler, uses dance as a way to raise awareness about violence against women.

Overall, the research on dance and emotional expression highlights the universal language of emotions and how dance can be used to express them in unique and powerful ways. Whether it's traditional cultural dances or contemporary dance styles, dance remains an important avenue for emotional expression and can be used as a tool for healing, social change, and self-expression.