It Can be Bad to Show You Feel Good: Negative Consequences of Expressing Positive Emotions

We demonstrate that violating expression norms for positive emotions can lead to a range of negative social consequences (3 Studies: n = 1,300). Over-expressing triumph (dominance) leads to social avoidance; excessive displays of feeling moved (vulnerability) yields perceptions of weakness; under-expressing gratitude (reciprocity) and interest (affiliation) predict avoidance and powerlessness.