{
  "id": 18707663,
  "title": "Scientists Asked People to Fake Smiles. Something Unexpected Happened",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/scientists-asked-people-to-fake-smiles-something-unexpected-happened",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-11-07T12:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/forcing-a-smile-has-surprising-effect-on-happiness-study-12668924"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent study has revealed that forcing someone to smile can have an unexpected impact on their happiness. Researchers found that while a genuine smile can boost one's mood, forcing someone to smile, especially under financial pressure, can lead to increased anger and decreased happiness. The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, involved around 1,200 participants who were shown a series of pictures with either happy or unhappy connotations. Those instructed to fake a smile reported feeling happier, but when forced to do so repeatedly with financial consequences, their happiness levels dropped significantly. Professor Nicholas Coles, the lead researcher, explained that the findings suggest that while people can \"fake it till they make it\" in terms of happiness, the method matters. Forced smiles, often seen in customer service situations, can create a sense of emotional control and lead to a sense of anger and frustration, rather than the intended happiness.",
  "summary": "Professor Nicholas Coles wanted to investigate the impact of being forced to smile because of his experience in customer service.",
  "key_points": [
    "Forcing fake smiles can increase anger and decrease happiness",
    "Study involved 1,200 participants shown happy/unhappy pictures",
    "Forced smiles in customer service may create emotional control"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}