Smile

Smile

A Smile is a facial expression formed by flexing the muscles near both ends of the mouth and by flexing muscles throughout the mouth. Some smiles include contraction of the muscles at the corner of the eyes. An emotion not necessarily linked to happiness is often associated with a smile.

Anatomy of a Smile

A smile is formed primarily by flexing the muscles at the sides of the mouth. Some smiles include a contraction of the muscles at the corner of the eyes, an action known as a 'Duchenne smile'. Among humans, a smile expresses pleasure, sociability, happiness, joy or amusement. It is distinct from a similar but usually involuntary expression of anxiety known as a grimace.

Cultural Significance

In some cultures, smiling is a symbol of happiness and is often initiated by social interactions. However, there are cultural differences in the way people smile. For example, in some parts of Asia, people may smile when they are embarrassed or in emotional pain. Some people may smile at others to indicate a friendly greeting.

Psychological Effects

A smile has psychological effects on the person who smiles and the person who sees the smile. Smiling can improve our attention, help us perform better on cognitive tasks, and influence our social relationships. It can also have a positive effect on our mood and reduce stress.

See Also

• Facial expression
• Laughter
• Frown

References

Smile Resources
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