The Effect of Body Lean and Status of an Interviewer on the Non-Verbal Behavior of Japanese Interviewees

Abstract

This study was a preliminary investigation of non-verbal communication in Japanese subjects. Sixteen males and sixteen females were interviewed by one of two male confederates. The confederates were described and dressed as either high or equal status persons. They assumed either a forward lean or a backward lean during the four minute interview. Tape and video recordings were analyzed across a wide spectrum of non-verbal behaviors emitted by the subjects during the interview. Both status and body lean variables affected a variety of dependent measures, particularly for female subjects. A factor analysis of the non-verbal behaviors produced some unexpected results which have implications for similar studies done in other cultures.