And so I've wondered for quite a while why people usually mirror the moods of others but in some cases will instead try to balance out another's mood. For example, if a person seems very unhappy they'll try to be cheery in compensation.

It depends on whether or not you think disagreeing with someone is a dangerous thing to do. So with a total stranger for example, probably best to just mirror them for the most part. And then if you consider yourself well above them hierarchially(sp), or whoever else, you're more likely to balance instead of mirror.

I balance instead of mirror more than usual because I assume good things of others, I assume they're intelligent enough to handle a different point of view. I think. I don't think it's that I'm just a contrary individual....