Effects of a priori liking on the elicitation of mimicry.
Mimicry and prosocial feelings are generally thought to be positively related. However, the conditions under which mimicry and liking are related largely remain unspecified. We advance this specification by examining the relationship between mimicry and liking more thoroughly. In two experiments, we manipulated an individual's a priori liking for another and investigated whether it influenced mimicry of that person. Our experiments demonstrate that in the presence of a reason to like a target, automatic mimicry is increased. However, mimicry did not decrease when disliking a target. These studies provide further evidence of a link between mimicry and liking and extend previous research by showing that a certain level of mimicry even occurs when mimicry behavior is inconsistent with one's goals or motivations.
Stel
Mariëlle
M
Leiden University, The Netherlands. M.Stel@uu.nl
van Baaren
Rick B
RB
Blascovich
Jim
J
van Dijk
Eric
E
McCall
Cade
C
Pollmann
Monique M H
MM
van Leeuwen
Matthijs L
ML
Mastop
Jessanne
J
Vonk
Roos
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires