Publication
Title
Physiological changes during first encounters and their role in determining the perceived interaction quality
Author
Abstract
What determines if the first interaction between strangers will be a pleasant experience? We conducted an experiment to investigate the extent to which the perceived quality of an interaction is influenced by conversation content and context, and we document the physiological changes that are likely to play a role in establishing rapport. Females who did not know each other met in pairs and conducted a gossip- or creativity task, either face-to-face or online. The conversation content had no effect on the quality of online interactions. However in the face-to-face condition gossip was associated with better interaction quality. Tonic electrodermal activity steadily declined throughout the interaction, while phasic electrodermal activity first peaked and then returned to baseline. Neither were related to perceived interaction quality. Heart rate variability (HRV) dropped at first but then remained stable. A smaller drop in HRV drop corresponded to higher ratings of rapport and liking. Together these results suggest that gossip can improve the quality of a face-to-face interaction between strangers, and support the conjecture that parasympathetic activity is a marker of human openness to social engagement.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Interaction studies : social behaviour and communication in biological and artificial systems. - Amsterdam, 2004, currens
Publication
Amsterdam : 2019
ISSN
1572-0373 [print]
1572-0381
DOI
10.1075/IS.18015.RUD
Volume/pages
20 :2 (2019) , p. 275-306
ISI
000491292700004
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
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UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 27.11.2019
Last edited 12.11.2024
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