Impression Management in Televised Debates: The Effect of Background Nonverbal Behavior on Audience Perceptions of Debaters’ Likeability
Document Type
Conference Paper
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Mass Communication Division at the annual meeting of the International Communication Association
Publisher
International Communication Association
Publication Date
5-1-2008
Abstract
This study examined whether a debater's background nonverbal behavior affected audience perceptions of her and her opponent's likeability. Students watched one of four versions of a televised debate. In each, while the speaking debater appeared on the main screen, subscreens displayed her opponent's background nonverbal behavior. In one version, the nonspeaking debater displayed a neutral expression, whereas in the others she displayed occasional disagreement, nearly constant disagreement, or both agreement and disagreement. After viewing the debates, students rated the debaters' likeability. Analysis indicated that background behavior influenced perceptions of the nonverbal communicator but not of the speaking debater.
Recommended Citation
Seiter, J. S., Kinzer, H. J., Jensen, A. S., & Weger, H. (2008, May). Impression Management in Televised Debates: The Effect of Background Nonverbal Behavior on Audience Perceptions of Debaters’ Likeability. Paper presented to the Mass Communication Division at the annual meeting of the International Communication Association, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
