NONVERBAL RECIPROCITY IN NONDISTRESSED MARITAL PARTNERS: AN EXAMINATION OF BASE RATE CHANGE

William Griffin, D. Russell Crane

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

The present study sought to incorporate recent suggestions for reciprocity research into an experimental design which could use behavioral base rate change as a method for determining nonverbal reciprocity in nondistressed couples. This study examined reciprocity by surreptitiously manipulating the touching behavior of one spouse, and monitoring responses of the other spouse. Forty couples were randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group. Couples were videotaped engaging in an assigned task which permitted interaction. During the interaction, positive touches, smiles, and headnods were monitored. Following instruction to do so, selected spouses in the experimental group increased their rate of touches. Results indicated that, in response, naive spouses subsequently increased their rate of touches. The results of this experiment provide supportive evidence for the lawful nature of reciprocity. The implications of these findings, and suggestions for subsequent reciprocity research, are forwarded.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)301-309
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Marital and Family Therapy
Volume12
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1986
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Sociology and Political Science

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