Dominant, open nonverbal displays are attractive at zero-acquaintance

Vacharkulksemsuk, Tanya; Reit, Emily; Khambatta, Poruz; Eastwick, Paul W.; Finkel, Eli J.; Carney, Dana R.

doi:10.1073/pnas.1508932113

Cited by 56 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 73 publications

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“…She tried to maintain a certain style but had to adjust her attire depending on the changes in outside and inside temperatures during the year. Another possible limitation of our study is that our study sample-although similar in size to samples used in similar studies that worked with microanalysis of behaviour (Farley, 2014;Gonzaga et al, 2001;Hall & Xing, 2015;Renninger et al, 2004;Vacharkulksemsuk et al, 2016;Van der Meij, Almela, Buunk, Almela, Buunk, Fawcett, & Salvador, 2011)-was still relatively small and may have failed to confirm the statistical significance of effects, which are of merely a moderate strength. Aside from that, the use of one single experimenter who conducted all the interviews with all test couples may have led to some experimenter-specific effects.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Non‐verbal mate retention behaviour in women and its relation to couple's relationship adjustment and satisfaction

et al. 2019

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The function of mate retention strategies is to preserve the bond between romantic partners and to prevent desertion, which is also why such behaviours are often elicited by the presence of a potential rival. Most existing studies on mate retention are based on self‐reports, which are prone to various biases. In this study, we observed non‐verbal behaviour of 47 long‐term romantic heterosexual couples during their interview with a female experimenter, whom the women in the couples may have perceived as a potential rival. We measured non‐verbal displays of mate retention tactics (direct guarding, intimacy inducement, appearance enhancement, and love and care display), as well as relationship maintenance strategies of openness and positivity. We expected that relationship quality as reported by both partners in the couple would be positively associated with ‘benefit‐provisioning’ mate retention behaviours and negatively associated with a ‘cost‐inflicting’ mate retention tactic (direct guarding). Relationship quality was assessed by Spanier's Dyadic Adjustment Scale using both the total score of dyadic adjustment and a Dyadic Satisfaction subscale. We found a significant association between both partners' dyadic adjustment and satisfaction and woman's appearance enhancement behaviours (such as self‐touch, hair flip and primp) in the presence of her partner and a potential rival. We also found a negative association between partner's dyadic adjustment and woman's direct guarding of partner using short looks, and a positive association between woman's intimacy‐inducing behaviour using long gaze and her own dyadic satisfaction and her partner's dyadic adjustment. Our results highlight the specific role of female attractiveness in later stages of romantic relationships within the context of mate retention and draw attention to the significance of the use of observational techniques in addition to self‐reports.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Non‐verbal mate retention behaviour in women and its relation to couple's relationship adjustment and satisfaction

et al. 2019

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“…There are currently over 33 published studies on the positive effects of expansive (versus contractive) body postures on increasing subjective feelings of power, pain, hunger and romantic attractiveness [113,114]. In their original study, Carney et al [115] also found an embodiment effect on increasing risk taking, as well as a biological effect of increasing the aggressive hormone testosterone and in reducing the stress hormone cortisol.…”

Section: The Embodied Model Of Cognition and Emotionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Embodied Cognition and the Direct Induction of Affect as a Compliment to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Pietrzak

Lohr

Jahn

et al. 2018

Behavioral Sciences

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We make the case for the possible integration of affect experience induced via embodiment techniques with CBT for the treatment of emotional disorders in clinical settings. Theoretically we propose a possible integration of cognitive behavioural theory, neuroscience, embodied cognition and important processes of client change outcomes such as the therapeutic alliance to enhance client outcomes. We draw from evidence of bidirectional effects between embodiment modes of bottom-up (sensory-motor simulations giving rise to important basis of knowledge) and top-down (abstract mental representations of knowledge) processes such as CBT in psychotherapy. The paper first describes the dominance and success of CBT for the treatment of a wide range of clinical disorders. Some limitations of CBT, particularly for depression are also outlined. There is a growing body of evidence for the added value of experiential affect-focused interventions combined with CBT. Evidence for the embodied model of cognition and emotion is reviewed. Advantages of embodiment is highlighted as a complimentary process model to deepen the intensity and valence of affective experience. It is suggested that an integrated embodiment approach with CBT enhances outcomes across a wide range of emotional disorders. A description of our embodiment method integrated with CBT for inducing affective experience, emotional regulation, acceptance of unwanted emotions and emotional mastery is given. Finally, the paper highlights the importance of the therapeutic alliance as a critical component of the change process. The paper ends with a case study highlighting some clinical strategies that may aid the therapist to integrate embodiment techniques in CBT that can further explore in future research on affective experience in CBT for a wider range of clinical disorders.

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“…For instance, both smiling and laughing have been reported to reflect the degree of attraction to the other person, and subsequently cause the other to be attracted to the person expressing the smiles and laughter (5)(6)(7). Similarly, head nods and open body postures are associated with more self-reported feelings of love among newly met and long-term committed relationship partners (8)(9)(10). In addition, dominant body posture, direct eye contact (5,11,12), increased skin conductance and heart rate responses have all been linked to the perception of more attractive, opposite-sex targets (13)(14)(15).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Taken together, the current literature suggests that attraction emerges from the dynamic exchange of verbal and nonverbal signals (5,(9)(10)(11)22), yet the necessary empirical and analytic tools to directly address this hypothesis were not available until recent times. Consequently, the direct link between nonverbal behavior, physiology and attraction has never been directly verified.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The choreography of human attraction: physiological synchrony in a blind date setting

Prochazkova

Sjak-Shie

Behrens

et al. 2019

Preprint

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Humans are social animals whose mental wellbeing is shaped by the ability to attract and connect with each other. In a dating world, in which success can be determined by brief interactions, apart from physical features, there is a whole choreography of movements, physical reactions and subtle expressions that drive humans' sexual attraction. To determine what drives attraction, we measured nonverbal dynamics between people during real-life interactions outside the laboratory, where dating is most relevant. Participants wore eye-tracking glasses with embedded cameras, and devices to measure physiological signals including heart rate and skin conductance. Crucially, visible signals that can be controlled, such as facial expressions or gaze, did not predict attraction. Instead, attraction was predicted by synchrony in heart rate and skin conductance between partners, which are unconscious and difficult to regulate. Our findings suggest that shared emotionality is vital for mutual attraction. Moreover, physiological synchrony may provide a medium for translating visible expressions into embodied emotions, which can turn into intentions via somatosensory simulation. Significance StatementIn our modern world where millions of people meet online without interacting face-to-face, the question "what defines attraction" has become very relevant. In this study, we used modern technologies to lay down a foundation for the processes that drive human attraction during reallife interactions. Contrary to common belief, we found that attraction is not predicted by a frequency of expression or eye fixation duration, nor is linearly related to the participant's autonomic nervous system activity. Importantly, we found that the more a participant synchronized their heart rate and skin conductance with their partner, the more they felt attracted toward that person. This study reveals a fundamental physiological process that plays a role in the formation of romantic relations.

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Dominant, open nonverbal displays are attractive at zero-acquaintance

Cited by 56 publications

References 73 publications

Non‐verbal mate retention behaviour in women and its relation to couple's relationship adjustment and satisfaction

Non‐verbal mate retention behaviour in women and its relation to couple's relationship adjustment and satisfaction

Embodied Cognition and the Direct Induction of Affect as a Compliment to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

The choreography of human attraction: physiological synchrony in a blind date setting

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