Why does bad news make some people smile?
UC professor says mismatch between feelings, expressions is common
For some people, sad news draws an uncomfortable smile to their face.
Oriana Aragon, a social psychologist and assistant professor of marketing in the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, joined the “Every Little Thing” podcast to explain this phenomenon of feelings not matching expressions, which is called a dimorphous expression of emotion.
Oriana Aragon, assistant professor of marketing at the University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business
In a survey, 43.7% of people reported they smile when they’re very sad, Aragon said. The actual percentage could be higher, she said, as many people might not realize what they’re doing.
“This is normal,” she said. “A lot of people report that they do this uncontrollably. It’s more social norms that say, ‘Well, you’re supposed to frown or have a sad face when you’re not feeling well.’”
Smiling during sad moments is just one example of dimorphous expressions of emotion. The mismatch of feelings and expressions also include cute aggression, such as the desire to pinch a baby or squeeze a puppy, and tears of joy.
While a grin in a sad or uncomfortable situation might seem out of place, Aragon said, there might be a reasonable explanation for why it happens.
“It could be that that smile during that negative scenario signals to others that you’re open for them to approach you, maybe for comfort, maybe to distract you from whatever sadness is going on for you,” she said.
See more from the “Every Little Thing” podcast.
Featured image at top courtesy of Unsplash.
Next Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is classified as a Research 1 institution by the Carnegie Commission and is ranked in the National Science Foundation's Top-35 public research universities. UC's medical, graduate and undergraduate students and faculty investigate problems and innovate solutions with real-world impact. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
How can Cincinnati provide more affordable housing? This new lab aims to find out
October 16, 2026
The University of Cincinnati Real Estate Center helped launch a new regional research and development initiative designed to identify, test and scale solutions to the region’s housing challenges called the Housing Innovation Lab. The project is built around a simple idea: What if communities approached housing challenges the way leading companies approach innovation?
Cincinnati Spotlight features CCM's new Conservatory Series concerts
October 15, 2026
Cincinnati Public Radio features CCM's new Conservatory Series in its latest "Cincinnati Spotlight." The series launches on Wednesday, Oct. 21 with its inaugural "Grand Tradition" concert featuring a variety of CCM's distinguished faculty artists.
Medical devices exec touts UC co-op
October 15, 2026
UC College of Engineering and Applied Science alumnus Adam Hauke talks to Medium about the speed of innovation in developing new medical devices. Hauke is global director of product strategy & innovation at Gentherm Medical. He earned a doctorate and bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering from UC.