Emotional Contagion

Emotional contagion is when we spontaneously mimic and experience the same emotions as those around us, through behaviors, facial expressions, body language. It’s a form of social contagion where emotions and related behaviors spread from one person to another, or within a group — leading to a shared emotional experience. When someone yawns, the rest of us yawn. A friend venting about their spouse causes others not to like the spouse. Emotional contagion is often seen as a precursor to empathy (also see state empathy),as the ability to automatically mimic others’ emotions can contribute to understanding and sharing their feelings. In the workplace, emotional contagion can be a positive or negative force, influencing team dynamics and overall morale.