Emotional Contagion
The automatic transmission of emotions between people through social interaction.
Also known as: Emotion spread, Emotional transmission, Mood contagion
Category: Concepts
Tags: psychology, emotions, social, influence, well-being
Explanation
Emotional contagion is the phenomenon where emotions spread automatically between people through social interaction. We unconsciously: mimic others' facial expressions, synchronize with their body language, and subsequently feel the emotions associated with those expressions. The process works through: primitive emotional mimicry (mirror neurons), feedback from our own expressions (facial feedback hypothesis), and social synchronization. Contagion is: rapid (milliseconds), often unconscious, and bidirectional. Emotions spread through: direct contact, social networks, and even digital communication. Research shows: happiness, loneliness, anxiety, and enthusiasm all spread through networks, extending to friends of friends of friends. Implications include: being mindful of emotional environments, recognizing your emotions may reflect others', and understanding your emotional impact on those around you. For knowledge workers, emotional contagion suggests: awareness of team emotional climate, managing your own emotional expression, and choosing work environments and relationships that support positive emotional states.
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