This might sound funny. But I have been wondering why do humans/primates laugh or smile when they are happy or find something funny?
Why don't they cry when they are happy and laugh/*smile* when they are sad?
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Sign up to join this communityThis might sound funny. But I have been wondering why do humans/primates laugh or smile when they are happy or find something funny?
Why don't they cry when they are happy and laugh/*smile* when they are sad?
Subcortical unconscious programming originating in distance evolutionary relatives cause humans to smile when they feel happy.
-Consciousness, Volition, and the Neuropsychology of Facial Expressions of Emotion
There are disorders like the Pseudobulbar affect which cause people to express a different emotion than what is typical like crying instead of smiling. With PBA the emotions displayed are sudden, frequent, extreme and uncontrollable.