Final answer:
The assertion that smiles and kind words can alleviate negative emotions is true. Research supports the facial feedback hypothesis suggesting that facial expressions can influence our emotional states, and smiling has been linked to increased happiness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'A smile and kind words can be powerful alleviators' is true. According to the facial feedback hypothesis, our facial expressions can influence our emotional experiences. For example, studies have shown that even the act of smiling can make us happier, and suppressing facial expressions can lower the intensity of emotions. Furthermore, interventions such as Botox injections that inhibit the ability to frown have been associated with reports of decreased depression. This suggests that smiling does not merely reflect happiness; it can also contribute to it.
Additionally, the intensity of facial expressions has been found to affect emotional reactions. A broader smile in response to a minor event can enhance the happiness felt about the event, much more so than a minor smile would. Conversely, frequent frowning might lead to more negative emotions. Moreover, smiling is universally recognized and can help to connect people across different cultures, as suggested by an anecdote from the Peace Corps Coverdell World Wise Schools program.