Abstract
This study examined the effects of age and cognitive ability on the duration, intensity, and frequency of smiling and laughter among 54 elderly adults. Subjects were over sixty years of age and utilized community welfare centers. In the experiment, they viewed two humorous stimuli on video and their facial expressions were videotaped. The subjects rated the enjoyability of each stimulus immediately after the presentation. Finally, they completed a picture arrangement task to assess the cognitive ability. The results showed that the cognitive ability had no significant effect on duration, intensity, and frequency of smiling. Compared with the younger group, the older group tended to smile more faintly toward the stimulus in which the context developed rapidly. Interestingly, the incongruity was found between smiling expressions and subjective emotional experiences. In addition, a half of the subjects smiled only slightly and some tended to keep their smiles once they began to express them. Moderation and preservation may be characteristics of smiling expressions among the elderly.
