A friendly pat on the shoulder is often regarded as a gesture of superiority, not friendship

You may be wrong ponyat



According to the basic provisions of the non-verbal communication, gestures and touch play a significant role in communication: tactile contact enables people to better understand each other and makes the conversation more effective. However, as it turned out, not all at the touch of a conversation equally useful - in some cases, they can give a negative effect.

Employees Leuven Catholic University conducted a study to identify the specific results from touch in a variety of circumstances, and published their findings in an issue of the journal «Social Influence».

In the experiment, the students-participants had to perform various tasks, with some experimental wished good luck and left the rest of the audience, while others expressed their wishes, then three times pat on the shoulder and then left. In the second phase students were asked to share with the other volunteers coupons that were given a chance to win movie tickets, while volunteers generously shared with those who did not resort to the touch.

An interesting pattern is explained by the fact that although a friendly pat on the shoulder or back pain often means a willingness to help and the location, in competitive situations, it can be regarded as a manifestation of a certain condescension or attempt to dominate. This nonverbal technique is often used by men when they want to show their participation, and care, but it may not always be to the point, especially if the person believes that it needs help and care or feels threatened by pat.

As I explained Jeroen Camps, one of the leaders of the study:

«Although many think otherwise, touch not always give a positive result. Even a simple pat on the back, if it occurs at the wrong time and the wrong place can cause harm ».

blockquote>
via factroom.ru