Smile and Lie? Why We Are Able to Distinguish False Smiles from Genuine Ones

Abstract

Facial expressions are movements of the face muscles which allow people to express thoughts, emotions, feelings, moods and attitudes towards other people and situations. In the process of social development people learn how to control their facial expressions. Therefore, certain emotions can be faked. Studies on the possibility of faking facial expressions, and on the technique of controlling facial muscles, are of utmost interest to the representatives of numerous professions, such as actors, politicians, TV presenters, etc. A smile is a facial expression formed by flexing the muscles mainly near both ends of the mouth, the cheeks and the eyes. Laughter is an expression of joy or happiness, but may also be an uncontrolled expression of fear. A smiling face grabs our attention faster, stays in our memory longer and evokes positive associations more quickly. Today this phenomenon is widely used in advertising, marketing, politics, acting, etc. A smile is a message to others. The correct reading of its meaning seems to guarantee that contact is established appropriately. A natural, childlike smile evokes positive emotions, since the audience perceives it as a genuine, direct and not distorted message. Laughter occurring in situations in which the audience also participates seems genuine as well. If the audience understands the situation and its context, they treat the smile as genuine. Therefore, they can relate to the message and perceive it as genuine. In the absence of such relation, the message of a smile causes consternation and discord. The effect may be accidental, but it sometimes seems to be intended by the author, since inner anxiety compels the audience to continue their analyses and deliberations. Truth and lies hidden behind the grimaces and smiles of persons pave the way for getting to know oneself and understanding the world.