Is Smiling Contagious?
Supplies, instructions, resources, and worksheets are below!
Is smiling contagious?
Project Description
You’ve probably noticed that some actions are contagious. Yawning is a great example. When a person yawns, other people around may yawn too. Coughing, clearing your throat, these are other actions that often seem contagious. But what about smiling? Is smiling contagious? In this STEM project, you’ll investigate whether smiling is contagious.
Activity Time
About a week
Supplies Needed
Some people
Investigative Worksheet
NOTE: Adult supervision required when collecting data
Learning Objectives
Understand how behavior effects others
Understand the difference between positive and negative reactions
How smiling stimulates the production of endorphins
Vocabulary Terms to Understand
Look up each word and write their definition on paper.
behaviour
contagious
reciprocate
emotion
facial
expression
Neuropeptides
dopamine
endorphins
serotonin
Instructions
1. Print the Investigative Worksheet.
2. Create a table on the worksheet to record your findings.
3. Don’t let the people in your investigations know that you are recording your findings.
4. Over the next few days, record what happens when you smile at other people.
5. Write an essay about your findings and discuss with your teacher.
Questions
Is smiling contagious?
Did the people smile back most of the time?
Who smiled first, you or the other person?
Are other behaviors contagious?
How does your brain change when you smile?
Can you change your feelings by smiling?
More Resources
Is smiling contagious? 1
Is Smiling Contagious? 2
There’s magic in your smile.
Why Smiles and Frowns are Contagious
Science Behind Smiles