emotion contagion

Emotion contagion is the spontaneous, unconscious process where individuals adopt the emotions of others around them. For example, if someone nearby is laughing happily, you might start to feel happier yourself without realizing it. This happens through subtle cues like facial expressions, tone of voice, or body language. It helps us connect and coordinate socially, but it can also spread negative feelings, such as anxiety or anger. Essentially, our emotional states are often influenced by those around us, creating a shared emotional experience that strengthens social bonds or, at times, amplifies collective mood shifts.