We all smile, some more than others. Smiling at others can make you happy, and the person you smiled at can be happy too. Smiling can be associated with joy, love, happiness, and your well-being. Have you ever wondered if smiling is contagious? We have. ‘According to various studies, smiling is contagious,’ proving the rumor right. ‘When you see a smile, your orbitofrontal cortex activates, which processes sensory rewards. Therefore, when you catch another person smiling, you feel rewarded, which is a good feeling, causing a smile!’ (Dhorat) There is a poll that we would love for you to decide on if you think smiling is contagious. Hopefully, you do it with a smile on your face. We’ve also asked an 8th grader, an 8th-grade teacher, and a 7th-grade teacher if smiling is contagious. Here are their responses:
Mr. Schaidle: “Yes, because if you’re pleasant, most people will be pleasant back unless they’re a jerk.”
Kaylee Hillman: “Yes, because when you see other people happy, it can make you happier.”
Mrs. Bellini: “Yes, because it is just based on social constructs.”
Hope you enjoyed this article. Have a smiley day!
Dhorat, Aaliah. “A Smile can Change the World.” The Oxford Scientist, 2 June 2019, https://oxsci.org/a-smile-can-change-the-world/. Accessed 6 May 2024.
Is Smiling Contagious?
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