Behavioral and Brain Sciences

Table of Contents - 2010 - Volume 33, Issue 06  

Open Peer Commentary

What's behind the smile?

John J. Ohalaa1

a1 Department of Linguistics, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-2650. ohala@berkeley.edu http://linguistics.berkeley.edu/phonlab/users/ohala/index3.html

Abstract

Many species' non-threat facial expression involves an open mouth and retracted lip corners – the smile. This served to make an accompanying vocalization sound like it originated from a smaller vocalizer. That such signals are deceptive and benefit primarily the signaler undermines the notion that the perception of the smile employs embodied simulation of the smiler's state.

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