The Effect of Nonverbal Doubling on the Emotional Response of the Double
Keywords:
DoubleAbstract
This study examined the effectiveness of non verbal doubling in generating an emotional response in the auxiliary similar to that of the protagonist. The subjects consisted of college undergraduates enrolled in an introductory speech course and were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. Both groups were exposed to a fiveminute nonverbal videotape of a single individual. The experimental group was requested to assume the physical posture and to imitate all physical activity of the individual in the tape, while the control group was asked only to observe the videotape. Mehrabian's Semantic Differential of Emotional Response was used to assess the emotional response of the subjects to the experience. Significant differences were found in the predicted directions on the Pleasure-Displeasure and Dominance-Submissiveness scales of the S.D.E.R., (p < .05). The null hypothesis was supported on the Arousal-Nonarousal scale, which is consistent with the arousal level of the videotaped protagonist. This study supports the hypothesis that nonverbal doubling generates an emotional response in the auxiliary similar to that of the protagonist.
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