WHY does the human brain react to emoticons the same way as real smiles?
Scientists in Australia have found out that there is no innate response to emoticons that children are born with. Before the advent of smiley faces, the brain had no reason to respond to such a combination of signs ":-)" as a smile.
Yet, since some time, the brain has "gotten used" to the fact that this combination of symbols represents a face, and now responds to it. Thus, it is a completely culturally conditioned response.
