Smiling and laughter can positively impact happiness and social interactions. The limbic system in the brain, including the amygdala, thalamus, hypothalamus, and hippocampus, is associated with feelings of happiness. Evolutionary psychologists believe happiness helped with survival by enhancing traits like social acceptance and mating. Physically, smiling and laughter can increase energy and improve response to illness. Mentally, they promote emotional stability and coping. Socially, smiling and laughter are linked to increased workplace and relationship success as well as more friendships. Both smiling and laughter are universally recognized expressions of positivity that can transmit happiness to others and improve mood.

1. What is the effect of smiling and
laughter on happiness?

2.  IT is a Fundamental Human Emotion
It is Often Characterised by a Sense of
 Enthusiasm
 outgoingness
 extraversion
 optimism

3. The area of the brain most associated with
happiness is the limbic system
 Amygdala
 Thalamus,
 Hypothalamus
 Hippocampus
Neurotransmitters are
also important to the
Feeling of Happiness

4. Evolutionary psychologists believe that happiness
played a part in mammal or human survival in
a continuously changing environment
 Sex drive
 Mating
 Social acceptability
 Reward System

5. Physical Benefits
 Increased Energy
 Improved Response to Common Illness
Mental Benefits
 Higher Emotional Stability
 More Effective Copping Mechanisms
Social Benefits
 Increased likelihood of Workplace Success
 Increased number of Friendships
 Increased likelihood of Success in Common and
Romantic Relationships

6. Smiling
 One of the first expressions
 Universally recognised as
an Expression of Happiness
 Transmits Positivity and
Receives Positivity
 Socially Motivated

7. Laughter
 Universally recognised
 Improves negative moods
 Socially motivated
 Seen as a more Advanced
expression of happiness

8.  Smiling and laughter transmit Happiness
 Smiling and happiness improve social
interactions
 Have a lasting effect on a persons social
competence

9. The effect of the physical act of smiling and
laughter as a way of effecting a persons
happiness.
It has been shown to increase happiness if only
slightly

10. The expression of happiness has a positive effect
on almost every aspect of a persons life
Showing happiness through smiling improves
 Likability and trust worthiness
 Social Success and Acceptance
 Can Improve your mood
 It can increase Physical, Mental and Social
Wellbeing

11.  Argyle, M. (2013). The psychology of happiness. New York, NY:
Routledge.
 Barak, Y. (2006). The immune system and
happiness. Autoimmunity Reviews, 5(8), 523-527.
doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2006.02.010
 Holmes, J., & Marra, M. (2002). Having a laugh at work: How
humour contributes to workplace culture. Journal of
Pragmatics, 34(12), 1683-1710. doi:10.1016/S0378-2166(02)00032-2
 Lyubomirsky, S., King, L., & Diener, E. (2005). The benefits of
frequent positive affect: Does happiness lead to
success? Psychological Bulletin, 131(6), 803-855. doi:10.1037/0033-
2909.131.6.803
 Nettle, D. (2005). Happiness: The science behind your smile. Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
 Reeve, J. (2015). Understanding motivation and emotion (Sixth ed.).
Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
 And Images from Microsoft ClipArt