Ability to distinguish genuine from non-genuine smiles in children aged 10- to 12-years: Associations with peer status, gender, social anxiety and level of empathy

Associations between children’s ability to distinguish genuine (Duchenne) from non-genuine smiles and peer status, gender, social anxiety or level of empathy were examined in a sample of 10- to 12-year-old children (N = 80). Children were presented with genuine and non-genuine smiles in a dynamic (videos) or a static (photos) mode of presentation and were asked to rate the genuineness of each. Children’s peer status was tested with a sociometric measure, whereas social anxiety and level of empathy were measured via self-report measures. There was no evidence that peer status was associated with children’s ability to distinguish genuine from fake smiles in either mode of stimuli presentation. However, gender appeared to predict children’s performance. Compared to boys, girls were better at distinguishing genuine from fake smiles, but only when the stimuli were presented in a dynamic mode. In addition, empathy was associated with children’s perception of genuine smiles but only in the static stimuli. The results are discussed in the light of recent evidence indicating that socially excluded adults are more competent at distinguishing genuine from non-genuine smiles.