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Cerebral_Reprogram t1_j2dn0yx wrote

Reply to comment by purple_house in [Image] Make it your year by ambambambamb

Many studies have been done on this. The simplest example is showing a comedy to two groups of people: one group has to hold a pencil between their teeth while they watch and the other doesn't. The group that is forcing a smile-like gesture on themselves because of the pencil will laugh more than the control group.

So yes, the "you should smile more" trope is cringe, but that is obviously not the message in this context. The point is that behavior influences our attitude, not just the other way around. We have more control over our behavior than we do our attitude, so utilize it to your benefit.

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DieStrassenkinder t1_j2dyg3v wrote

That sounds like a really flawed study. How would the exclude other factors influencing the study group, like the absurdity of being told to hold a pencil in your mouth?

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drweenis t1_j2euitv wrote

By creating an equally absurd frown condition, holding the pencils in your teeth = grin, holding in lips = frown

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