The Effects of Smiling Scientists have found that smiling
has little effect on one’s mood. Following Charles Darwin’s idea that
facial expressions can influence mood, scientists
sought out to determine the accuracy of his theory. In a study for 'Psychological Bulletin,' scientists
reviewed 50 years of data and found that smiling
boosts happiness very minimally, if at all. The findings led scientists to estimate that if 100 people smiled, 7 may feel an increase in happiness as a result. Recent research has found
that forcing a smile may
have a negative effect. A study published in the
'Journal of Occupational Health Psychology'
found that service workers who put on a fake smile
were more likely to drink heavily after work.
