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Gender Differences in Smiling

Gender Differences in Smiling

I just finished an interview for the Wall Street Journal here is one of the topics I discussed, gender differences in smiling.

Women smile more often socially to be liked and to increase community Men smile less to be perceived as more dominant. Research shows that men who smile less have more testosterone.

A study by Tracy and Beall (2011) in Emotion examined both men’s and women’s sexual attraction to emotions expressed by the opposite sex. By asking men and women to rate the attractiveness of pictures representing different emotions (happiness, pride, shame, neutral) of the opposite sex, the study established that while men are most attracted to happiness expressed by women, women are least attracted to happiness and most attracted to pride expressed by men In a series of studies, more than 1,000 adult participants rated the sexual attractiveness of hundreds of images of the opposite sex engaged in universal displays of happiness (broad smiles), pride (raised heads, puffed-up chests) and shame (lowered heads, averted eyes).

The study found that women were least attracted to smiling, happy men, preferring those who looked proud and powerful or moody and ashamed. In contrast, male participants were most sexually attracted to women who looked happy, and least attracted to women who appeared proud and confident.

"It is important to remember that this study explored first-impressions of sexual attraction to images of the opposite sex,"
 

Men who smile less LaFrance Paluck Hecht, 2003 examine every available study that has been done on sex differences in smiling. Ultimately, they looked at 186 research reports.
They found that women do smile more than men, but the difference is modest. "The difference is there, but it's not whopping," LaFrance said. "Indeed, there are studies that find just the opposite."  Also, the rate at which men and women differ in how much they smile is greater in the United States and Canada than in other parts of the world, like England and Australia. In the United States, there is a greater sex difference among Caucasians in smiling, but this difference virtually disappears among African-Americans.
For more smile research and tools to improve your smile read SNAP Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma.





Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Smiling and DISC Personality Styles


I just finished an interview for the Wall Street Journal.  One of the topics I discussed was my research on smiling and DISC personality styles. Here are the types and the smiles and below is the survey you can take to assess your smile and determine your DISC personality types.



I  did research for the Natural Dentist toothpaste on how your smile reflects your DISC personality type.


The survey with the key is on my book website SNAPFirstImpressions.com  and you can find it at the bottom of this document.

What is the Smile Analysis Survey? 

Have you ever looked at a stranger’s smile and immediately recognized something about their personality? Did you ever wonder what people think of you when you smile?

Are you curious to discover what the corners of your lips, the arch or your eyebrows, the lift of your cheeks, and other parts of your smile reveal about you? Would you like to gain insights into how you come across to others? Well, the Free smile personality analysis is a brief survey that will give you a fun snapshot of your personality!  

The Smile Analysis Survey is based on nonverbal communication and personality research. It is designed to be fun snapshot of your personality, no couches or inkblots are needed to apply!  

1. Which of the following best describes the physical aspects of your smile?

a. ___ I keep my mouth closed and my lips fairly tight and sometimes my mouth goes down at the corners.                 

b. ___When I smile my whole face moves, my mouth goes up at the corners, my cheeks go up and my

          eyes crinkle at the corners.

c. ___When I do smile it is larger than most peoples. 

d. ___When I smile my mouth goes up at the corners, but not to far.  

2. Which of the following best describes the way your smile comes and goes on your face?

a. ___It comes on slowly and is steady and stable.

b. ___It comes quickly and stays on my face a while. I almost have to focus to make it go away.

c. ___It comes on slowly and fades out slowly.

d. ___It’s here then it’s gone.  

3. Which of the following sets of words best describes how you see your smile?

a. ___Kind and Friendly

b. ___Confident and Powerful

c. ___Expressive and Spontaneous

d. ___Reserved and Diplomatic  

4. Which of the following scenarios most closely describes how feel and how you smile when you’re photographed with friends and family?                                          

a. ___ I enjoy the connection to others, so I would smile, but not typically a big smile.

b. ___ I don’t really like being photographed. Sometimes I smile, but not every time.

c. ___ I either smile largely or don’t smile at all.

d. ___ I typically have a good time & don’t mind being photographed, so I give an enthusiastic smile. 

5. Which of the following best describes your smile?

a. ___Animated and Lively

b. ___Warm and Polite

c. ___Discrete and Appropriate

d. ___Direct and Energetic  

6. Which one of the following best describes how often you smile? Please choose only one:

a. ___I smile all the time, people comment my smile 

b. ___I smile quickly, but I wouldn’t say I smile all the time

c. ___I’m not a big smiler, but I mean it when I do smile

d. ___I smile often, I like how it makes others feel  

7. If others view your smile as being like you, ideally they would say your smile is:

a. ___Gentle and Considerate

b. ___Sincere and Diplomatic

c. ___Decisive and Independent

d. ___Fun and Optimistic  

8. What is the most likely thing to make you smile?

a. ___When I accomplish a task quickly and effectively

b. ___When I do something correctly or solve a problem

c. ___When I do something well or I’m recognized for doing a good job

d. ___When I’m able to help others  

9. You would be most likely to smile as you say which of the following sentences:

a. ___I enjoy telling stories and entertaining people

b. ___I like working with people who get along

c. ___I know what I want and I go after it

d. ___There’s a right way to do things  

10. What do you think makes a great natural smile?
 
11. What do you think about a person who smiles frequently?

12. What’s one thing you would love to know about smiling?

Gender:  ___ Female or ___Male

Age:  ___under 25  ___25 to 40  ___40 to 55  ___55 and up



How to Score Your Survey 

Use the key below to tally up your answers and record them in the totals section also located below. To discover what your smile personality type is, see which smile personality type has the highest number and read the corresponding description, located under the key. Once you’ve discovered your smile personality type don’t forget to email your completed survey to Patti@PattiWood.net by the end of the week. The first 50 people that return the survey will receive Patti’s e-book on Stress Reduction.

KEY 

1. Which of the following best describes the physical aspects of your smile?

a. _A_ I keep my mouth closed and my lips fairly tight and sometimes my mouth goes down at the corners.                

b. _I_When I smile my whole face moves, my mouth goes up at the corners, my cheeks go up and my eyes crinkle at the corners.

c. _D_When I do smile it is larger than most peoples. 

d. _S_When I smile my mouth goes up at the corners, but not to far.  

2. Which of the following best describes the way your smile comes and goes on your face?

a. _S_It comes on slowly and is steady and stable.

b. _I_ It comes quickly and stays on my face a while. I almost have to focus to make it go away.

c. _A_It comes on slowly and fades out slowly.

d. _D  It’s here then it’s gone.  

3. Which of the following sets of words best describes how you see your smile?

a. _S  Kind and Friendly

b. _D Confident and Powerful

c. _I_ Expressive and Spontaneous

d. _A Reserved and Diplomatic  

4. Which of the following scenarios most closely describes how feel and how you smile when you’re photographed with friends and family?                                          

a. _S_ I enjoy the connection to others, so I would smile, but not typically a big smile.

b. _A_ I don’t really like being photographed. Sometimes I smile, but not every time.

c. _D_ I either smile largely or don’t smile at all.

d. _I_ I typically have a good time & don’t mind being photographed, so I give an enthusiastic smile. 

5. Which of the following best describes your smile?

a. _I_ Animated and Lively

b. _S_Warm and Polite

c. _A_Discrete and Appropriate

d. _D_Direct and Energetic  

6. Which one of the following best describes how often you smile? Please choose only one:

a. _I_  I smile all the time, people comment my smile 

b. _D_I smile quickly, but I wouldn’t say I smile all the time

c. _A_I’m not a big smiler, but I mean it when I do smile

d. _S_I smile often, I like how it makes others feel  

7. If others view your smile as being like you, ideally they would say your smile is:

a. _S_Gentle and Considerate

b. _A_Sincere and Diplomatic

c. _D_Decisive and Independent

d. _I_ Fun and Optimistic  

8. What is the most likely thing to make you smile?

a. _D_When I accomplish a task quickly and effectively

b. _A_When I do something correctly or solve a problem

c. _I_  When I do something well or I’m recognized for doing a good job

d. _S_ When I’m able to help others  

9. You would be most likely to smile as you say which of the following sentences:

a. _I_  I enjoy telling stories and entertaining people

b. _S_ I like working with people who get along

c. _D_ I know what I want and I go after it

d. _A_ There’s a right way to do things  

How to Score Your Survey 

Use the key above to tally up your answers and record them in the totals section below. To discover what your smile personality type is, see which smile personality type has the highest number and read the corresponding description, located under the totals. Once you’ve discovered your smile personality type don’t forget to email your completed survey to Patti@PattiWood.net by the end of the week.

Totals:   ___D-river  ___S-upporter  ___I-nfluencer  ___A-nalyzer

Smile Personality Type Descriptions

There are four distinct personality types. No one type is better or worse than any other type. Not everyone is purely one personality type some of us are a combination of types. Each type description is for someone who scores high on one particular type. If your scores were close on any of the types read the description for both types to see what characteristics best describe you. You may find that you are a mixture of types. If so, you enjoy having the benefits and talents of more than one personality type. 

Driver-- Your lifestyle is active and fast-paced. You are always on the go. You want to get things done. You do all sorts of things at the same time because you think, “Why do one thing when you can do three or four?” You enjoy solving problems, meeting challenges and competing. Your communication style is fast, direct, and to the point. You make decisions quickly. You are impatient with people who waste your time. You tell it like it is. You’re adventurous, bore easily and are willing to take risks. You can challenge the status quo and break the rules. You gain energy from being in charge and meeting new goals. You make direct eye contact and shake hands confidently. You set high standards for yourself and for others. You get things done. 

Supporter-- You are warm friendly and like a relaxed pace. People describe you as loyal, steady and dependable. Your relationships are the most important thing in your life. You are cooperative and a team player and you will work to avoid conflict and get along, even making personal sacrifices to do so. You speak slowly and thoughtfully. People say you are a good listener, though sometimes you feel interrupted by others. You don’t rush in, but instead, you look carefully before taking action. You are helpful, supportive and nurturing of others. You are the shoulder to cry on and the one who remembers birthdays.  A good day for you is when everyone gets along and you have helped others. You prefer working patiently, behind the scenes getting one thing done at a time.  You like to know what you are going to do every day.  

Influencer-- You are spontaneous and live life to the fullest. You are a leader and you want to be noticed and appreciated for your ideas and what you do. You are social and outgoing. You don't like to waste your time or energy on boring details or the same old routine tasks. You are boisterous, imaginative and playful. You love to share a good story or a bit of humor and you’re your animated voice and body language help you communicate well. You tend to ignore the rules since you don’t think they really apply to you. Your enthusiasm is contagious and you get the party going and the group motivated. You enjoy a good conversation whether it is on the phone, over dinner or out socializing.  A good day is when you brought out the best in someone else or when someone noticed your talent and work. You are optimistic, charming, a real people person. You want people to like you. You see the “big picture” and can inspire others.  

Analyzer-- You are smart, careful and accurate. You are a deep thinker who considers the details before you speak. You catch mistakes that others miss. You have great insights and opinions, but you don’t always get a chance to express them. You like to read books and other activities that make you think. You like to work by yourself and relax at home because you enjoy solitude. You like to take your time, play by the rules and wish others would do the same. You have a place for everything and that makes your life organized and easy. People may have a hard time reading your body language and knowing what your thinking or feeling because you like to keep your emotions to yourself. Others might consider you a serious person, but you do see and create humor in things that others might miss.  You want to be right and value being seen as accurate and logical. You have high standards and others may say you are a perfectionist. 

                                         Smile Style

Driver - who likes to get things done. When I do smile it is larger than most peoples.  It’s here then it’s gone.

Influencer – who likes to get appreciated. When I smile my whole face moves, my mouth goes up at the corners, my cheeks go up and my eyes crinkle at the corners. It comes quickly and stays on my face awhile. I almost have to focus to make it go away.

Supporter – who likes to get along. When I smile my mouth goes up at the corners, but not to far. It comes on slowly and is steady and stable.

Corrector – who like to get things right. I keep my mouth closed and my lips fairly tight and sometimes my mouth goes down at the corners. It comes on slowly and fades out slowly.


For more smile research and tools to improve your smile read, "SNAP Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma." 


Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Facial Feedback Loop and Reason to Smile!


I just finished an interview for the Wall Street Journal here is one of the topics I discussed Facial Feedback Loop and reason to smile!


Here is a research quote of the facial feedback loop that explains why I do outside in coaching (change the smile to change how you feel) and inside out coaching (change how you feel to effect the clients smile. )

The facial feedback hypothesis states that individuals can initiate emotions through their facial expression (McIntosh, 1996). If individuals make a specific facial expression, it will illicit the emotion. The facial feedback hypotheses proposes that expression amplify our emotions by activating muscles associated with specific states and the muscles signal the body to respond as through we were experiencing those states. Thus when we simulate the facial expressions normally associated with happiness, we may fell happier. Similarly, the behavior feedback hypotheses assumes that if we move body as we would when experiencing some emotion such as smiling when we are happy, we are likely to feel that emotion to some degree.

Research Strack, Martin, and Stepper (1988) provided a relevant study in support for the facial feedback hypothesis. These researchers utilized the facial simulation procedure in which participants were posed into a certain facial pose. This technique has often been associated in testing the facial feedback hypothesis. Participants were asked to read a set of cartoons and respond by rating how humorous the cartoons were. The condition of the facial-pose simulation was used utilizing a pencil placed between the teeth of some participants. The three conditions of the pencil included between the teeth, lips, or use of the non-dominant hand (Strack, Martin, & Stepper, 1988). Results and ratings concluded that those who held the pencil between their teeth, producing a smile rated that the cartoons were more humorous than those that inhibited the smile.

For more smile research and tools to improve your smile read "SNAP Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma." 


Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Patti on Nancy Grace Feb. 20th on HLN at 8 p.m. EST


I will be on Nancy Grace tonight, Wednesday, Feb. 20th,  on HLN at 8 p.m. EST  to analyze Jodi Arias’s body language on the stand during the murder trial of Jodi's ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander.

Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Here is how body language effects our fascination with the YouTube video phenomenon the Harlem Shake


If you have not seen a Harlem Shake Video then you are in for a wild ride and a lost hour on the internet. In February of 2013 an odd little video of three guys in costume dancing to the Harlem Shake peaked on to the internet. Now everyone has a video and top ten lists of the best, most popular, funniest, Harlem shake videos are all over the internet.

Here is how body language effects our fascination with the  YouTube video phenomenon the Harlem Shake.

Our primitive brain tuned to be hunters and watch for changes in the environment such as movement that indicates possible moving game or predators who could eat us. The videos start with a few people who are still with one person moving in a simple seemingly docile repetitive motion.  Our eyes are designed to go toward movement, and because that  person is the only one moving significantly we focus our attention solely on him or her.  He or she does not look scary but they are interesting and the fact that they are moving in synch with the repetive throb of the music helps hold our focus on that one part of the video.  Suddenly the music changes to a wild mix and the still seemingly safe people are moving wildly and in some videos many more people appear looking wild and fierce. Our brain fires on all cylinders and we are captivated. In fact, it gives us such a hit of adrenaline that we crave more and may spend the next hour looking through top ten lists for new unseen Harlem Shake Hit.

http://www.digitalspy.com/odd/news/a458888/harlem-shake-videos-the-10-best-on-the-internet.html

Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.