Genuine smiles involve the involuntary contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle around the eyes, making them biologically distinct from fake, socially obligated smiles.

A closer look

Genuine smiles involve the involuntary contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle around the eyes, making them biologically distinct from fake, socially obligated smiles. You can bare your teeth all you want at a networking event, but unless the skin around your eyes actually crinkles, every human subconscious in the room instantly recognizes you as a deceitful corporate sociopath. We evolved this hyper-specific facial recognition software to prevent us from trusting predators, which means your boss absolutely knows you are faking enthusiasm during those endless morning synergy meetings. Next time you want to successfully lie to someone about how happy you are to see them, you literally have to act with your eyeballs, or your caveman biology will immediately sell you out to the masses