Changes

:b : to [[bestow]] approval <[[feeling]] that [[Heaven]] smiled on his labors — Sheila Rowlands>  

:b : to [[bestow]] approval <[[feeling]] that [[Heaven]] smiled on his labors — Sheila Rowlands>  

:c : to appear pleasant or [[agreeable]]

:c : to appear pleasant or [[agreeable]]

==Description==

==Description==

A '''smile''' is a [[facial]] [[expression]] formed by flexing the muscles near both ends of the mouth. The smile can also be found around the eyes. Among [[humans]], it is an [[expression]] denoting [[pleasure]], [[joy]], [[happiness]], or amusement, but can also be an involuntary [[expression]] of [[anxiety]], in which case it is known as a ''grimace''. Smiling is something that is [[understood]] by everyone despite [[culture]], [[race]], or [[religion]]; it is internationally known. Cross-cultural studies have shown that smiling is a means of [[communicating]] [[emotions]] throughout the world. But there are large [[differences]] between different [[cultures]]. A smile can also be [[spontaneous]] or [[artificial]].

A '''smile''' is a [[facial]] [[expression]] formed by flexing the muscles near both ends of the mouth. The smile can also be found around the eyes. Among [[humans]], it is an [[expression]] denoting [[pleasure]], [[joy]], [[happiness]], or amusement, but can also be an involuntary [[expression]] of [[anxiety]], in which case it is known as a ''grimace''. Smiling is something that is [[understood]] by everyone despite [[culture]], [[race]], or [[religion]]; it is internationally known. Cross-cultural studies have shown that smiling is a means of [[communicating]] [[emotions]] throughout the world. But there are large [[differences]] between different [[cultures]]. A smile can also be [[spontaneous]] or [[artificial]].

==Hidden emotions within smiling==

==Hidden emotions within smiling==

[[Happiness]] is most often the [[motivating]] [[cause]] of a smile. However, there are many exceptions, especially among animals. The [[exposure]] of teeth, which may bear a resemblance to a smile, is often used as a threat or [[warning]] display—known as a snarl—or a sign of submission. For chimpanzees, it can also be a sign of [[fear]]. The study of smiles is a part of gelotology, [[psychology]], and [[linguistics]], comprising various [[theories]] of affect, [[humor]], and [[laughter]]. Smiling can also be [[interpreted]] as nervousness in an [[animal]] - humans also smile as a result of nervousness and even [[embarrassment]]. In one [[study]], created to investigate the [[correspondence]] between [[perceived]] meanings of smiles and their morphological and dynamic characteristics, it was found that “perceived embarrassed/nervous smiles had greater amplitude, longer duration…related to those perceived as polite.” Work by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gottman John Gottman] has shown that smiling and other such [[expressions]] of [[positive]] [[emotions]] are important to shaping [[relationships]] with others; [[researchers]] could [[predict]] the [[quality]] of marriages many years into the [[future]] based on the [[number]] of such [[interactions]].

[[Happiness]] is most often the [[motivating]] [[cause]] of a smile. However, there are many exceptions, especially among animals. The [[exposure]] of teeth, which may bear a resemblance to a smile, is often used as a threat or [[warning]] display—known as a snarl—or a sign of submission. For chimpanzees, it can also be a sign of [[fear]]. The study of smiles is a part of gelotology, [[psychology]], and [[linguistics]], comprising various [[theories]] of affect, [[humor]], and [[laughter]]. Smiling can also be [[interpreted]] as nervousness in an [[animal]] - humans also smile as a result of nervousness and even [[embarrassment]]. In one [[study]], created to investigate the [[correspondence]] between [[perceived]] meanings of smiles and their morphological and dynamic characteristics, it was found that “perceived embarrassed/nervous smiles had greater amplitude, longer duration…related to those perceived as polite.” Work by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gottman John Gottman] has shown that smiling and other such [[expressions]] of [[positive]] [[emotions]] are important to shaping [[relationships]] with others; [[researchers]] could [[predict]] the [[quality]] of marriages many years into the [[future]] based on the [[number]] of such [[interactions]].

 

[[Category: Psychology]]

[[Category: Psychology]]

[[Category: Sociology]]

[[Category: Sociology]]