| Popis: |
The aim was to provide more insight in people's nonverbal reactions to and perceptions of nonverbal behavior in interactions. We argue that nonverbal reactions are not simply linked to nonverbal expressions of others, but that social context influences how people react to and perceive such expressions. In Chapter 2 it was examined whether information of a target's status influenced nonverbal reactions. In Chapter 3 we examined whether the legitimacy of such status positions also influenced nonverbal reactions. Finally, in Chapter 4 we investigated whether nonverbal reactions influence the perceptions of dominance, conflict avoidance, and conflict in the interaction. Results demonstrate that social contexts influence people's nonverbal reactions. People mimic or complement a target's expanded or constricted posture depending on the relative status position and on whether or not this status position was obtained in a legitimate way. Furthermore, the contrast between the postures of interaction partners influence the degree to which people perceive postures as dominant and conflict avoidant. Also, the contrast influences the degree to which people perceive conflict in the interaction. Overall, it can be concluded that nonverbal reactions are influenced by the social context. The reactions influence the perceptions people have about the behavior and situation. |
