Mind at ease puts a smile on the face: Psychophysiological evidence that processing facilitation elicits positive affect
Winkielman and Cacioppo report in two studies that neutral pictures made easier to process produced more activity in the cheek muscle used in smiling, and suggest that this link between ease and positive feeling could help explain why mere exposure raises liking.
Winkielman and Cacioppo report in two studies that neutral pictures made easier to process produced more activity in the cheek muscle used in smiling, and suggest that this link between ease and positive feeling could help explain why mere exposure raises liking.
Written from the abstract, journal record, 2026-10-31.
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Winkielman, P., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2001). Mind at ease puts a smile on the face: Psychophysiological evidence that processing facilitation elicits positive affect. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81(6), 989-1000. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.81.6.989 https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.81.6.989