How a Duchenne Smile Signals Genuine Positivity

None of us like to be told to smile more, but there is little denying that smiling does have benefits, both for the smiler and whoever is being smiled at. Smiling can convey that we like someone, or that we're happy or friendly, and is generally correlated with positive emotion.

Research shows that smiling can even strengthen social and emotional well-being and benefit your health. It is also known to be infectious. Smiling can cause others to smile because of the positive feeling it projects.

That said, we are more positively influenced by a smile when it is genuine, which is known as a Duchenne smile.

What Is a Duchenne Smile?

Duchenne smiles are named after 19th century anatomist Guillaume Duchenne, who studied facial expressions. Duchenne smiles are a particular type of smile involving specifically coded facial muscle expressions and is hypothesized to represent authentic positive displays of emotion. This is the kind of smile that reaches your eyes and lights up your whole face.

In another study, participants were asked to watch cartoons while monitored. When participants displayed what is classified as a Duchenne smile, they “reported more positive experience when pleasant scenes and humorous cartoons were presented.”

Duchenne Smile vs. Other Smile Types

There are different types of smiles. Smiles can be “felt” or “unfelt":

• Duchenne smiles are considered felt smiles because they are derived from genuine positive emotion.
• Non-felt smiles are considered non-Duchenne, which can be “ambiguous” or even “fake,” meaning the feelings behind the smile are not a definitive display of positive emotion.

Although ambiguous smiles can result from a happy experience, they often derive from other emotions or a lack of emotion.

According to researchers, Duchenne smiles contribute to “happy eyes.” Happy eyes usually correlate with the raising of the cheeks. According to experts, only Duchenne smiles “include activation of the cheek riser muscle that creates crow's feet around the eyes”.

Non-Duchenne smiles are not associated with “happy eyes” or the raising of the cheeks. Ambiguous smiles might consist of a neutral expression or eyes that express emotions such as fear, anger, nervousness, or confusion.

Participants in a research study were shown different faces, in which smiles and other types of expressions (neutral, angry, fearful facial expressions) were matched with happy or ambiguous eyes (neutral, angry, and fearful eyes). They were then asked to determine if each face looked genuinely happy.

Participants were easily able to judge that any facial expression other than a smile was not happy. However, when different eye types were matched with smiles, it wasn’t as easy for participants to identify genuinely happy faces. Although most people could determine that a smile with angry eyes was not happy, many believed smiles with neutral and fearful eyes were.

The difference between Duchenne and ambiguous smiles is not always apparent to others, but Duchenne smiles are usually a reflection of a more positive experience for the smiler.

Mental Health Benefits of The Duchenne Smile

Duchenne smiles have a significant impact on mood and social interactions, including in some of the following ways:

Increases Feelings of Happiness

Duchenne smiles correspond with feelings of happiness. There is some research to suggest that smiling increases the feel good chemical dopamine in the brain. Sharing that smile can literally spread the chemical reactions of happiness.

Increases Genuine Social Interaction

Duchenne smiles evoke positivity from others. When you give Duchenne smiles, others are more likely to associate you with positive traits, such as trustworthiness, authenticity, and attractiveness etc, These positive traits can help others feel more comfortable engaging in social interaction with you.

Increases Empathy

Genuinely smiling during social interactions initiates an authentic connection with the other person. This connection can allow you to experience more empathy toward the them and their emotions.

Increases Relaxation

You feel less tense and more relaxed when genuinely smiling, producing a calming effect. Others may sense your calmness and feel less stressed as well.

How To Produce More Duchenne Smiles

It may seem odd, but there are a number of strategies you can take to put yourself in better position to smile in a more genuine way:

• Think positively - A person may be more likely to produce a Duchenne smile when experiencing a genuine positive emotion. Try to think positively throughout the day to develop a positive mindset and mood.
• Spend time with people who make you laugh - Since Duchenne smiles greatly contribute to positive feelings, being around others who make you laugh may help evoke these “felt smiles.”
• Practice empathy - Being more empathetic can help produce positive emotions and allow you to have more authentic social interactions that enable you to display more Duchenne smiles.
• Find things you genuinely like to do - Enjoying a fun or exciting activity can put you in a good mood and increase dopamine levels. Creating a positive environment will bring about a few Duchenne smiles. You can go for a walk, do some dancing, watch a movie, etc. Try to partake in constructive activities that bring joy.
• Practice mindfulness - Doing a mindfulness meditation can help you tap into positive emotions like relaxation and happiness.
• Pick up a fun hobby - Having a hobby that makes you feel productive and happy can elevate your mood.
• Listen to happy music - Music that makes you happy with either the melody, beat, or lyrics can also uplift you.
• Watch a funny movie/show - Comedic cinematography is a great way to get in some genuine laughs. In addition, watching something heartwarming may bring about a few Duchenne smiles as well.

Finally, it may seem counterintuitive—but there is some research to support that even forced smiling may actually help produce positive emotions.

Smiling, even if forced, correlates with reduced stress. Attempting to be kind or happy, even when we don't feel that way in the moment, may help produce genuine emotion and lead to a Duchenne smile.