Which concept states that facial expressions can trigger or influence the subjective experience of an emotion?

• A. Grit
• B. Facial-Feedback Hypothesis
• C. Physiological Arousal
• D. Academic Achievement

Answer: (B)

The facial feedback hypothesis says that facial expressions themselves can shape how we feel. When you smile, the muscles used in smiling send feedback to the brain that can make the emotion you’re experiencing feel more positive; when you adopt a sad or angry expression, that same feedback can amplify those feelings. Classic studies have shown that people who are nudged into smiling (or into a neutral vs. frowning facial position) tend to rate experiences more positively or negatively, depending on the expression they adopt. This idea is distinct from general physiological arousal, which refers to bodily changes beyond facial movements, and from unrelated concepts like grit or academic achievement. So this concept directly links facial muscle activity to the subjective experience of emotion.