Impact of Fake Smiles on Happiness

A fake smile can influence a person’s happiness significantly. A new study has identified when this impact is positive and when it is negative. The concept of ‘fake it till you make it’ is effective, as individuals who smile, even if not naturally inclined, report feeling happier. This changes when people are compelled to smile repeatedly by others.

Research indicates that being instructed to smile, especially under financial pressure, leads to decreased happiness and increased anger. The study, led by Nicholas Coles, a psychology professor at the University of Florida, was inspired by his experience in customer service. He recollected working at a Florida theme park where he was required to always smile at customers, even when screamed at publicly. This experience motivated his investigation into the effects of fake smiles.

Coles’ earlier research supported that ‘people can indeed fake it till they make it’. He noted that posing a smile in unforced scenarios often leads to increased happiness, even among those skeptical about the happiness-inducing effect of smiles. However, his recent study highlighted the contrary outcomes. Published online on October 1, it will feature in the January 2027 issue of the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.

Study Findings

The research involved approximately 1,200 participants in an online experiment. Initially, participants viewed images with either positive themes, like kittens and flowers, or negative themes, such as animal mistreatment. Participants were then asked to either fake a smile or respond naturally. Those tasked with faking smiles were warned about a potential reduction in their $6 payment if instructions weren’t followed, although all received full payment eventually.

Participants rated their happiness after each image. Findings showed an initial positive effect of a single fake smile on happiness. However, this effect dwindled when smiles were repeatedly faked, even with positive images. The study concluded that forced smiles in situations mirroring customer service scenarios reduced happiness and increased anger.

Understanding the Impact of Fake Smiles

Coles explained that fake smiles under the ‘fake it until you make it’ mindset imply emotional autonomy, as they aim to enhance personal happiness. Conversely, forced smiles in a work setting serve as emotional labor aimed at job retention.

Commenting on the study, Norman Farb, a professor at the University of Toronto Mississauga not involved in the research, mentioned that fake smiles could moderate reactions—positive images increasing happiness, negative ones doing the opposite. Consistent fake smiling, especially under monetary threat, appeared to further dampen mood and raise irritation.

Implications of the Findings

The research suggests that fake smiles can be sources of both joy and misery. Coles noted the accumulating evidence of the negative psychological impacts of emotional labor, adding experimental insights to the discussion.

Farb pointed out that enforced smiling creates an ‘annoyance effect’. During a short online session, it made participants less happy and more irritated, particularly when viewing pleasant images. Forced smiling redirected attention away from engaging fully with surrounding events.

Farb also highlighted potential real-world implications. For employers, requiring constant smiles to boost morale may not be harmless, while for individuals, occasional smiling is acceptable but not a replacement for genuine emotional engagement.

Reference: Nicholas A. Coles, Annabel V. Dang, Joao Francisco Goes Braga Takayanagi, (2027) Smiling your way to happiness or misery? Experimental tests of competing perspectives [Registered Report—stage II]. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.