Smiling individuals are usually perceived more favorably than non-smiling ones - they are judged ... more Smiling individuals are usually perceived more favorably than non-smiling ones - they are judged as happier, more attractive, competent, and friendly. These seemingly clear and obvious consequences of smiling are assumed to be culturally universal, however most of the psychological research is carried out in WEIRD societies (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) and the influence of culture on social perception of nonverbal behavior is still understudied. Here we show that a smiling individual may be judged as less intelligent than the same non-smiling individual in cultures low on the GLOBE’s uncertainty avoidance dimension. Furthermore, we show that corruption at the societal level may undermine the prosocial perception of smiling – in societies with high corruption indicators, trust toward smiling individuals is reduced. This research fosters understanding of the cultural framework surrounding nonverbal communication processes and reveals that in some cultures smiling may lead to negative attributions.
Although conventional psychology is often characterized as the science of the individual mind, it... more Although conventional psychology is often characterized as the science of the individual mind, it is also important to introduce students to the potential interdisciplinary and multi-dimensional nature of psychology. In this paper we outline the design, development, and delivery of an innovative course that employed an ecological framework to engage students in mental health issues and policy via the teaching of a course on the basic elements of qualitative enquiry. Students received two lectures on qualitative methodology and methods and then participated in a set of practical-based activities that involved examining mental health themes and undertaking semi-structured interviews. The information gleaned from the students’ interviews was collated and formed the basis of a formal submission to Scotland’s National Mental Health Strategy 2011–2015. In this way the present approach encouraged students to consider the multiple levels of analysis that can be employed when researching men...
Synchronized behavior has significant social influence both in terms of everyday activities (e.g.... more Synchronized behavior has significant social influence both in terms of everyday activities (e.g., walking and talking) as well as via more historical contexts (e.g., cultural rituals). Grounded in the science of coordination dynamics, previous research has revealed that interpersonal synchrony has numerous affiliative and pro-social consequences, such as enhanced rapport, cooperation, and social-cognitive functioning. The current study sought to explore the impact of intentional synchrony versus asynchrony on an individual's self-esteem and their feelings of social connection with a partner. The results revealed that individuals felt better about themselves following a period of synchronous compared to asynchronous movement, while they also perceived a greater self-other overlap with their partner. These findings not only extend previous research on social connections following interpersonal synchrony, but also provide the first demonstration of an influence on self-evaluations...
... 1 Elsewhere we argue that evidence for change in stereotyping research is weak (Johnston &... more ... 1 Elsewhere we argue that evidence for change in stereotyping research is weak (Johnston &Macrae, 2002) and hence will refer to stereotype moderation rather than stereotype change throughout this chapter. Please address correspondence to Lucy Johnston, Department of ...
Electromyographic (EMG) research suggests that implicit mimicry of happy facial expressions remai... more Electromyographic (EMG) research suggests that implicit mimicry of happy facial expressions remains intact with age. However, age-related differences in EMG responses to enjoyment and nonenjoyment smiles have not been explored. The present study assessed younger and older adults' orbicularis oculi (O.oculi; eye) and zygomaticus major (Z.major; cheek) reactions to images of individuals displaying enjoyment and nonenjoyment smiles. Both age groups mimicked displays of enjoyment smiles, and there were no age differences in O.oculi and Z.major activity to these expressions. However, compared with younger participants, older adults showed extended O.oculi activity to nonenjoyment smiles. In an explicit ratings task, older adults were also more likely than younger participants to attribute feelings of happiness to individuals displaying both nonenjoyment and enjoyment smiles. However, participants' ratings of the happiness expressed in images of enjoyment and nonenjoyment smiles were independent of their O.oculi responding to these expressions, suggesting that mimicry and emotion recognition may reflect separate processes. Potential mechanisms underlying these findings, as well as implications for social affiliation in older adulthood, are considered.
Via mental simulation, imagined events faithfully reproduce the neural and behavioral activities ... more Via mental simulation, imagined events faithfully reproduce the neural and behavioral activities that accompany their actual occurrence. However, little is known about how fundamental characteristics of mental imagery-notably perspectives of self-shape neurocognitive processes. To address this issue, we used fMRI to explore the impact that vantage point exerts on the neural and behavioral correlates of imaginary sensory experiences (i.e., pain). Participants imagined painful scenarios from three distinct visual perspectives: first-person self (1PS), third-person self (3PS), and third-person other (3PO). Corroborating increased ratings of pain and embodiment, 1PS (cf. 3PS) simulations elicited greater activity in the right anterior insula, a brain area that supports interoceptive and emotional awareness. Additionally, 1PS simulations evoked greater activity in brain areas associated with visual imagery and the sense of body ownership. Interestingly, no differences were observed between 3PS and 3PO imagery. Taken together, these findings reveal the neural and behavioral correlates of visual perspective during mental simulation.
Social Psychological and Personality Science, 2013
ABSTRACT Via mental simulation, future previews have been shown to optimize behavioral selection ... more ABSTRACT Via mental simulation, future previews have been shown to optimize behavioral selection and enhance task performance. Yet little is known about the critical factors that determine exactly how and when imagination impacts behavior. Noting the theoretical importance of vantage point (i.e., field vs. observer perspective) during mental imagery, here we explored the possibility that spatial visual perspective influences the real-time behavioral correlates of simulated (i.e., imagined) events. Participants were instructed to imagine positive and negative social encounters from either a field or an observer vantage point. Throughout each imagined interaction, postural movement in the anterioposterior (i.e., front–back) plane served as a real-time index of approach–withdrawal behavior. The results revealed that mental simulations were accompanied by functionally adaptive behavior (i.e., approach or withdrawal) but only when events were imagined from a field perspective. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are considered.
Publication View. 30664641. Smiles, affordances, and social interaction : a thesis submitted in f... more Publication View. 30664641. Smiles, affordances, and social interaction : a thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Canterbury / (2005). Miles, LK (Lynden Kerry). Abstract. Typescript (photocopy).. Thesis (Ph. ...
The spectacle of synchronous activity is both engaging and, for the social perceiver, informative... more The spectacle of synchronous activity is both engaging and, for the social perceiver, informative. Judgments of the quality of social interactions covary with key characteristics of coordination dynamics (ie relative phase). Here we examined the converse relationship--are perceptions of synchrony shaped by social factors? Participants judged dyads consisting of individuals with dissimilar skin tones to be less coordinated than those with similar complexions, despite the amount of coordination being objectively equivalent. The methodological and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Smiling individuals are usually perceived more favorably than non-smiling ones - they are judged ... more Smiling individuals are usually perceived more favorably than non-smiling ones - they are judged as happier, more attractive, competent, and friendly. These seemingly clear and obvious consequences of smiling are assumed to be culturally universal, however most of the psychological research is carried out in WEIRD societies (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) and the influence of culture on social perception of nonverbal behavior is still understudied. Here we show that a smiling individual may be judged as less intelligent than the same non-smiling individual in cultures low on the GLOBE’s uncertainty avoidance dimension. Furthermore, we show that corruption at the societal level may undermine the prosocial perception of smiling – in societies with high corruption indicators, trust toward smiling individuals is reduced. This research fosters understanding of the cultural framework surrounding nonverbal communication processes and reveals that in some cultures smiling may lead to negative attributions.
Although conventional psychology is often characterized as the science of the individual mind, it... more Although conventional psychology is often characterized as the science of the individual mind, it is also important to introduce students to the potential interdisciplinary and multi-dimensional nature of psychology. In this paper we outline the design, development, and delivery of an innovative course that employed an ecological framework to engage students in mental health issues and policy via the teaching of a course on the basic elements of qualitative enquiry. Students received two lectures on qualitative methodology and methods and then participated in a set of practical-based activities that involved examining mental health themes and undertaking semi-structured interviews. The information gleaned from the students’ interviews was collated and formed the basis of a formal submission to Scotland’s National Mental Health Strategy 2011–2015. In this way the present approach encouraged students to consider the multiple levels of analysis that can be employed when researching men...
Synchronized behavior has significant social influence both in terms of everyday activities (e.g.... more Synchronized behavior has significant social influence both in terms of everyday activities (e.g., walking and talking) as well as via more historical contexts (e.g., cultural rituals). Grounded in the science of coordination dynamics, previous research has revealed that interpersonal synchrony has numerous affiliative and pro-social consequences, such as enhanced rapport, cooperation, and social-cognitive functioning. The current study sought to explore the impact of intentional synchrony versus asynchrony on an individual's self-esteem and their feelings of social connection with a partner. The results revealed that individuals felt better about themselves following a period of synchronous compared to asynchronous movement, while they also perceived a greater self-other overlap with their partner. These findings not only extend previous research on social connections following interpersonal synchrony, but also provide the first demonstration of an influence on self-evaluations...
... 1 Elsewhere we argue that evidence for change in stereotyping research is weak (Johnston &... more ... 1 Elsewhere we argue that evidence for change in stereotyping research is weak (Johnston &Macrae, 2002) and hence will refer to stereotype moderation rather than stereotype change throughout this chapter. Please address correspondence to Lucy Johnston, Department of ...
Electromyographic (EMG) research suggests that implicit mimicry of happy facial expressions remai... more Electromyographic (EMG) research suggests that implicit mimicry of happy facial expressions remains intact with age. However, age-related differences in EMG responses to enjoyment and nonenjoyment smiles have not been explored. The present study assessed younger and older adults' orbicularis oculi (O.oculi; eye) and zygomaticus major (Z.major; cheek) reactions to images of individuals displaying enjoyment and nonenjoyment smiles. Both age groups mimicked displays of enjoyment smiles, and there were no age differences in O.oculi and Z.major activity to these expressions. However, compared with younger participants, older adults showed extended O.oculi activity to nonenjoyment smiles. In an explicit ratings task, older adults were also more likely than younger participants to attribute feelings of happiness to individuals displaying both nonenjoyment and enjoyment smiles. However, participants' ratings of the happiness expressed in images of enjoyment and nonenjoyment smiles were independent of their O.oculi responding to these expressions, suggesting that mimicry and emotion recognition may reflect separate processes. Potential mechanisms underlying these findings, as well as implications for social affiliation in older adulthood, are considered.
Via mental simulation, imagined events faithfully reproduce the neural and behavioral activities ... more Via mental simulation, imagined events faithfully reproduce the neural and behavioral activities that accompany their actual occurrence. However, little is known about how fundamental characteristics of mental imagery-notably perspectives of self-shape neurocognitive processes. To address this issue, we used fMRI to explore the impact that vantage point exerts on the neural and behavioral correlates of imaginary sensory experiences (i.e., pain). Participants imagined painful scenarios from three distinct visual perspectives: first-person self (1PS), third-person self (3PS), and third-person other (3PO). Corroborating increased ratings of pain and embodiment, 1PS (cf. 3PS) simulations elicited greater activity in the right anterior insula, a brain area that supports interoceptive and emotional awareness. Additionally, 1PS simulations evoked greater activity in brain areas associated with visual imagery and the sense of body ownership. Interestingly, no differences were observed between 3PS and 3PO imagery. Taken together, these findings reveal the neural and behavioral correlates of visual perspective during mental simulation.
Social Psychological and Personality Science, 2013
ABSTRACT Via mental simulation, future previews have been shown to optimize behavioral selection ... more ABSTRACT Via mental simulation, future previews have been shown to optimize behavioral selection and enhance task performance. Yet little is known about the critical factors that determine exactly how and when imagination impacts behavior. Noting the theoretical importance of vantage point (i.e., field vs. observer perspective) during mental imagery, here we explored the possibility that spatial visual perspective influences the real-time behavioral correlates of simulated (i.e., imagined) events. Participants were instructed to imagine positive and negative social encounters from either a field or an observer vantage point. Throughout each imagined interaction, postural movement in the anterioposterior (i.e., front–back) plane served as a real-time index of approach–withdrawal behavior. The results revealed that mental simulations were accompanied by functionally adaptive behavior (i.e., approach or withdrawal) but only when events were imagined from a field perspective. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are considered.
Publication View. 30664641. Smiles, affordances, and social interaction : a thesis submitted in f... more Publication View. 30664641. Smiles, affordances, and social interaction : a thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Canterbury / (2005). Miles, LK (Lynden Kerry). Abstract. Typescript (photocopy).. Thesis (Ph. ...
The spectacle of synchronous activity is both engaging and, for the social perceiver, informative... more The spectacle of synchronous activity is both engaging and, for the social perceiver, informative. Judgments of the quality of social interactions covary with key characteristics of coordination dynamics (ie relative phase). Here we examined the converse relationship--are perceptions of synchrony shaped by social factors? Participants judged dyads consisting of individuals with dissimilar skin tones to be less coordinated than those with similar complexions, despite the amount of coordination being objectively equivalent. The methodological and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
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