Patterns of Nonverbal Adaptation in Supportive Interactions

This study seeks initial evidence for the patterns of nonverbal adaptation predictive of emotional improvement after a troubles talk conversation. A total of 128 dyads composed of two unacquainted individuals engaged in a 5-minute conversation about a stressful event, and the nonverbal behaviors of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Communication studies 2016-01, Vol.67 (1), p.3-19
Main Authors: Bodie, Graham D., Cannava, Kaitlin E., Vickery, Andrea J., Jones, Susanne M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation
Behavior
Comforting
Communication research
Conversation
Emotions
Empathy
Listening
Matching
Mimicry
Nonverbal communication
Social Support
Supportive Communication
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Summary:This study seeks initial evidence for the patterns of nonverbal adaptation predictive of emotional improvement after a troubles talk conversation. A total of 128 dyads composed of two unacquainted individuals engaged in a 5-minute conversation about a stressful event, and the nonverbal behaviors of both the supportive listener and discloser were coded for immediacy. We detected a general pattern of matching between interlocutors, which was positively associated with disclosers' reported emotional improvement above and beyond listener immediacy. Importantly, we found primary support for a discloser-matching model whereby emotional improvement is a function of disclosers matching highly immediate listeners but no support for a listener-matching model whereby emotional improvement is a function of listeners matching disclosers to signal empathy.
ISSN:1051-0974
1745-1035
DOI:10.1080/10510974.2015.1036168