Effect of Expresser Role and Type of Self‐Touching on Observers' Perceptions¹

Abstract

The effect of a nonverbal behavior frequently displayed during social interaction, self‐touching, was analyzed with respect to body location, other nonverbal behaviors, and expressers' role. In Study 1, hypotheses about role (job applicant, medical patient, friend, stranger) and levels of anxiety and familiarity were substantiated. In Study 2, subjects rated females who displayed several types of self‐touching (to nose, arm, hand) singly, or in combination with head nodding or leg recrossing, representing the four roles in Study 1. Hypotheses based on types of self‐touching and role were supported by linear contrasts; for example, hand rubbing by job applicant and patient, who were expected to experience some anxiety, was judged as more acceptable than for friend or stranger. Discrete self‐touching (nose) was evaluated as more expressive and warm than unpatterned self‐touching (hand, arm) for friend and stranger. Control scenes (no movement) were rated as more calm and dominant, but less expressive, warm, and interested.

Judging Others' Anxiety1

“…Analyses of variance were performed using a one betweensubjects (observer gender), three within-subjects (expresser state and trait anxiety, and gender) design on each of the two composite variables, anxiety and uncomfortable. As in Study I and in previous studies, there were no significant main effects for observer gender (Harrigan, Lucic, Kay, McLaney, & Rosenthal, 1991;Harrigan et al, 1986).…”

La synergologie, une lecture pseudoscientifique du langage corporel

“…Ekman et Friesen (1969) ont très tôt émis l'hypothèse que ces adaptateurs pourraient représenter des fuites émotionnelles témoignant de l'état intérieur du sujet. Harrigan, Lucic, Kay, McLaney et Rosenthal (1991) montrent cependant que la fonction d'un adaptateur serait surtout liée au contexte, c'est-à-dire que le même mouvement aurait des significations différentes suivant le contexte. Les régulateurs sont des gestes qui maintiennent et régulent le flot de la conversation entre les partis engagés dans une interaction.…”

Performing Gender: A Content Analysis of Gender Display in Music Videos

“…Many empirical studies have associated power with more use of hand gestures, touching others, and sustained gazing, and have found that men engage in such behaviors more than women (Burgoon and Le Poire 1999;Henley 1995;Major et al 1990). Self-touch, however, has been correlated with lower status and as such is more often associated with women (Carney et al 2001;Harrigan et al 1991). Just as there is contradictory evidence as to whether lower-status individuals smile more than those with higher status (Hecht and LaFrance 1998), some studies have found that females smile more than males (Deutsch, as cited in Henley 1995;Hall et al 2000;LaFrance and Mayo 1978).…”