Based on social–functional accounts of emotion, we conducted two studies examining whether the degree to which people smiled
in photographs predicts the likelihood of divorce. Along with other theorists, we posited that smiling behavior in photographs
is potentially indicative of underlying emotional dispositions that have direct and indirect life consequences. In the first
study, we examined participants’ positive expressive behavior in college yearbook photos and in Study 2 we examined a variety
of participants’ photos from childhood through early adulthood. In both studies, divorce was predicted by the degree to which
subjects smiled in their photos.
Keywords Emotion - Positive emotion - Divorce
This research was supported by DePauw University’s Faculty Development Program, as well as the Asher Fund.