The naturalness of a smile

Smiling is a natural reflex – an unintentional act – and is therefore at its most complete when our attention is diverted away from our bodies. Of course a smile can also, to a certain degree, be suppressed or reinforced.

Smiling is an expression of a positive emotional reaction and, at the same time, an important part of our communication. If we smile at somebody when talking to them, that person knows how the words spoken are meant. It strengthens the emotional relationship with the other person.