According to Dr. Alexander Todorov, why is it important to understand what research tells us about facial recognition and perception?

Answer: It's crucial for a successful social life.

Explanation: Being able to have a well-developed perception and recognition of one's facial expression is important for having successful social life because a person is then able to actually see and maybe relate to someone's happiness, worriness, sadness.

Example: A group of friends is having a dinner. The group is chatting and joking around and you see a friend is trying to fit in by laughing at the jokes but is having slight changes in their expression that makes you think something is maybe bothering them. You'd be the first one to come up to them and ask them if everything is okay and they'll immediately realize that you are the one, out of all the people at the table, that actually realized something is wrong with them and will probably, from now on, have more trust in you and be closer to you.