Is Jennifer's smile genuine?

Jennifer Wilbanks, aka "the runaway bride," is seen in photos smiling prior to her runaway act in which she is purportedly happy. But is she? Is the smile genuine or contrived?

First, see for yourself. Click here for full story and 50 photos of her and the hunt for her.

Then, consider the research by psychologist Paul Ekman who ahs devoted his career to studying facial expressions as a way to detect real emotions in a person. Ekman calls a real smile a "Duchenne smile" which involves two facial muslces: (1) the zygomatic major muscle and the (2) outer part of the obicularis oculi muscle which orbits the ye and is involved in pulling downc the eyebrows and the skin below the eyebrows, pulling up the skin below the eye and raising the cheeks. More click here

With a fake smile, people use only the zygomatic major muscle because that one is under voluntary control. The muscles around our eyes can't be controlled consciously - they contract spontaneously and only when we're actually experiencing joy.

Take a test to see if you can spot fake smiles: click here

I think that Jennifer's public pictures with her extremely wide-open eyes clearly shows a fake smile. What do you think?

Being able to detect emotions accurately in another person is an empathetic skill which is a core tool for anger management at home, in the workplace, and with your family.

Comments

[jerry luithle]

Tony,
I got a message that the page expired (jennifers pictures) I will look at a later date. I only got 13 of 20 on the smiles, but my wife got 17. I always learn alot in your classes. Keep up the good work!
The Monday Night Fan Man

[Cindi]

Tony,

I also could not get Jennifer's smiles on my computer. (That darn old computer thing)
right Jerry Fan Man? I will try again when I have more time.

I enjoy your class and am sorry that I only have one more to attend before I am booted out....

Have a good week next week and I will see you on June 6th.

Cindi

[stacey henderson]

hay iam stacey how are you jennifer i wanna no cuz you are cool.