7. Select the two answer choices that complete the sentence: Researchers comparing test subjects' ability to interpret facial expressions found that while some expressions were easy to interpret, others were difficult because they were so _____ the person making the expression.
Answer: C
Expressions were difficult because they were so idiosyncratic to the person making the expression.
Facial expressions can vary significantly from person to person, making some expressions more idiosyncratic and harder to understand for observers. This idiosyncratic nature can lead to confusion or misinterpretation in social interactions.
A) habitual for
This option suggests that expressions are difficult to interpret because they are routine or typical for the person. However, habitual expressions are generally easier to recognize, as they are often repeated and thus become more familiar to observers. Therefore, this choice does not fit the context of the difficulty in interpretation.
B) customary for
Similar to option A, "customary" implies that the expressions are standard or common for the individual. Customary expressions are typically more recognizable and understood by others, making this choice incorrect in the context of why some expressions are hard to interpret.
C) idiosyncratic to
Expressions that are idiosyncratic to an individual are unique and specific to that person, making them challenging for others to interpret. This uniqueness can stem from personal experiences or cultural differences, which can obscure the intended meaning, thus making this option the correct choice.
D) opaque to
While "opaque" suggests that something is unclear, it does not specifically relate to the individual nature of the expressions being discussed. Opaque could imply a general lack of clarity rather than a personal uniqueness, which does not accurately capture the reason for the difficulty in interpretation.
E) inoffensive to
This option indicates that expressions are gentle or not likely to cause offense. However, inoffensive expressions do not inherently contribute to difficulty in interpretation; in fact, they may be easier to read. Thus, this choice is not relevant to the context of the question.
Conclusion
The correct answer, "idiosyncratic to," highlights how personal uniqueness in facial expressions can hinder their interpretation by others. In contrast, all other options focus on aspects that either imply familiarity or lack relevance to the individual nature of expressions, thus failing to explain the complexity of interpreting certain facial cues effectively.