The happy face of morality examining the role of smiles in moral evaluations
No Thumbnail Available
Authors
Meeting name
Sponsors
Date
Journal Title
Format
Thesis
Subject
Abstract
Four experiments (combined N = 2,885) tested the effects of smiling (versus neutral expressions) in attributions of global moral goodness, testing the prediction that smiling (versus neutral) faces would be perceived as more morally good, even among social targets with moral failings. Study 1 verified that, similar to mock self-reports, smiles enhanced global moral goodness evaluations. Study 2 demonstrated that, even when participants were instructed that targets were told to pose their facial expressions, smiling (versus neutral) targets were judged more morally good, and this difference obtained controlling for perceived attractiveness. Studies 3-4 examined whether the moral boost associated with smiling would extend to targets high (versus low) on amorality (Study 3) or to targets who reported engaging in some (versus no) immoral behaviors (Study 4). In both studies, smiles enhanced moral goodness attributions relative to controls. Additionally, Study 4 smiles promoted perceptions of future good behavior.
Table of Contents
DOI
PubMed ID
Degree
PhD