The effect of perceived similarity/dissimilarity on confirmation/disconfirmation behaviors: Reciprocity or compensation?

Ninety‐six male students participated in an experiment in which they solved a hypothetical problem while being videotaped. An attitude scale was used to manipulate their impressions of mutual similarity. Time was used to test development in the dependent variables confirmation, disconfirmation and looking measures. The purpose was to study the relationship between reciprocity and compensation in this interaction.

It was shown that confirmation can be measured reliably as a dependent variable. Two of the looking behaviors measured showed a similarity effect; verbal confirmation and disconfirmation showed none. There was a significant correlation between the amounts of verbal confirmation and disconfirmation of dyadic partners, illustrating reciprocity. The various looking behaviors were correlated. On some there was a significant negative correlation between dyadic partners, supporting compensation. There was an example of co‐occurrence of reciprocity on the verbal and compensation on nonverbal confirmation. With the advance of the experiment, subjects tended to increase confirmation. In contrast with previous studies, gaze did not seem to communicate liking but challenge. It was suggested that compensation be seen as agency and reciprocity as communion.