Incidental Similarity Facilitates Behavioral Mimicry
نویسنده
چکیده
Research has shown that mimicry increases the social influence of the mimicker and leads to greater liking of the mimicker. It has been proposed that mimicry is exhibited to create affiliation and rapport during social interaction. In two experiments (total N = 95) we manipulated the role of incidental similarity between two individuals on mimicry behavior. Undergraduates who believed they had (vs. did not have) the same first name (Study 1) or same subject of study (Study 2) as a target presented on videotape were more likely to mimic the target’s nonverbal behavior. Results support the notion that mimicry helps to create affiliation and rapport because the desire to build such a relationship is higher in the similarity condition.
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The Effects of Incidental Similarity with a Stranger on Mimicry Behavior
Aims: For social psychologists, mimicry could serve a function of “social glue”, binding people together and creating harmonious relationships. Design: In three experiments, we used the paradigm of incidental similarity in order to enhance the desire to create affiliation and rapport between a participant and a stranger, and to evaluate its effect on mimicry behavior. Findings: Undergraduates w...
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