Unmasking the "Polite Smile"

Abstract

It was predicted that rapid onset and offset times of smiles are indicators of strategic or managed positive affect. Women (N = 96) were videotaped interacting with elementary-aged boys whose behavior (responsive, cooperative versus unresponsive, resistant) was likely to elicit positive versus negative affect. Adult smiles were found to fade faster when directed to unresponsive than to responsive children. Onset time of adult smiles, on the other hand, were found to vary as a function of caregiver attributions, that is, faster onset times were shown by "luck" than "ability" attributors. Fast offset time was interpreted as an indicator of unreciprocated positive affect (situational influence on smiling). Fast onset time of smiles was interpreted as reflecting an ingratiating self-presentation strategy (personal influence on smiling). Trends were observed indicating that slow onset and offset times of smiles acted to increase child responsiveness.