Are humans the only species that SMILE due to emotion?

Question

Chins are only specific to humans. So I wonder if we are the only ones that can smile because we FEEL an emotion. Monkeys can smile because of their physiological make-up and have that range of motion in their face, but do they do it when they are happy?

Answer 1

Humans aren't the only creatures capable of emotions. They are the only creatures capable of advanced thinking (intelligence).

Monkeys and simians in general have a wide panel of emotions and they express it in similar ways we do (I suggest reading the works of Jane Goodall for more details).

Yes, monkeys smile and Yes, they do it to show they're happy.

Other creatures learn to smile through their contacts with humans, namely cats and dogs. It's not a natural behavior for them, but they are intelligent enough to eventually picture why we show out teeth in such a fashion and then duplicate what they see. Dogs have a wide range body language and do facial expressions rather well, you only need to learn to interpret it the same way they interpret our own body language.

But most creatures are incapable of smiling, simply due to the fact that they don't have the facial muscular structure to do it (dolphins, hamsters, etc.) or that their brains cannot process such an emotion (snakes, sharks, etc.)

Answer 2

Well, it doesn't really matter if we can "smile" it's that we can experience happiness, and animals are capable of experiencing happiness.

Answer 3

That's very interesting.  Can't wait to see the other answers.  Maybe dolphins smile due to emotion??

Answer 4

i believe so, I know the monkey's "smile" is actually a grimace from pain.

Answer 5

As you stated, monkeys smile; I know my dog smiles, and I have seen other animals that appear to do so. The problem with answering this question is simple; as we can not "speak" to the other species, we really can never truly know if they "feel emotion" as you said it. But I would have to tend more towards yes, it is hardly imaginable to me that we are the only "intelligent" life forms. Besides, I see emotion in my dog all the time, trust me. I see excitement, sadness, jealousy, happiness, and shame.

Answer 6

My dog smiles! And I'm positive many other canine owners have witnessed their pet smile...

Answer 7

My dogs smile, and I know one of my cats smiles, but he also thinks he's a dog.

Answer 8

well i always said that our little dog could smile.

Answer 9

The issue is what is being felt...we do not know what animals are thinking or feeling, and we ascribe human emotions to animals which may or may not be there.  Humans also smile when they're angry, being sarcastic, upset, and so on.  Cats purr, but is it because they are the human equivalent of happy?  Nobody knows.  So having a range of motion in their face is irrelevent when we can't comprehend what animal emotions consist of.

Answer 10

Until the monkey tells me differently I think he's happy.  What do you call all animals thing below their mouth if it isn't a chin.  Monkey's have an opposable thumb-the only animal on the planet that does except man.

Answer 11

I would venture to say humans are the only ones who smile to express happiness.  Chimps and gorillas "smile" and it is to show emotion but it is a threatening gesture as showing teeth is considered a sign of aggression. Mental protuberances (chins) are a specific feature but have little to do with smiling or expression of emotion.  

Gwen:  Do you really think humans are the only animals with intelligence?  I dare you to say that to a primatologist.  Chimps use tools and even teach their children how to do the same.  Gorillas and Chimps can learn sign language and use it to express feelings and emotions.  You mention Jane Goodall and deny the subjects of her life's work the respect they deserve as sentiment beings.  They are intelligent and self aware.  Humans are, after all, just apes.  Don't deny the other members of your family their due.  You say humans are the only ones who are intelligent (comparing to apes) but then ascribe intelligence to cats and dogs.  WOW!!!

Answer 12

Monkeys smile.

Answer 13

I'm not an expert, but..... Homosapiens has evolved to use tools more so than any other animal.  For most animals teeth are tools and weapons, when they show their teeth they are using it as a threatning posture, not to be happy.  You can train an animal to smile, like if your dog smiles it does it because it sees you doing it, but it would not do it in a natural setting with just other animals cause it would be theatning.  Tools allowed people to not need teeth as a weapon, so maybe it is a breeding thing to show your teeth to a potential mate to show good health.

Answer 14

A smile is the physical response to an emotion, as you say, therefore, many other life forms may feel the same emotion without necessarily having the ability to smile.

Even humans sometimes feel the emotion but dont actually smile.