A Test of the Passive Facial Feedback Hypothesis: We Feel Sorry Because We Cry

Abstract

Undergraduates, 61 men and 52 women, participated in pairs in an examination of whether simulated tearing of the eyes would cause sadness. In order to simulate the experience of tearing up, about 0.2 ml of water was dropped on the cheek near the lacrimal duct of both eyes of each participant, who then rated subjective feeling on a 7-point scale. 53.8% of participants reported sadness along with the simulated tearing, which was statistically larger than the 28.6% who reported cheerfulness.