According to popular wisdom, a firm, yet friendly handshake can help you make a strong first impression or seal a business deal. Now a new studyunderscores what a powerful message you may be sending simply by how you shake hands.
In some cases, the host was warm and welcoming, with open arms and a smile. In other cases, the host was less inviting, with crossed arms and a scowl. Half the time in both conditions, the interaction was preceded by a handshake.
As participants watched the animated clips, researchers measured their brain activity with functional MRI (fMRI). Participants then rated the hosts on competence, trustworthiness, and appeal as a business partner. Not surprisingly, the welcoming host was rated more positively on these dimensions, and a handshake just enhanced that good impression.
More interestingly, a handshake also blunted the negative reaction to the uninviting host. The implication is that shaking someone’s hand when you first meet may offer a bit of insurance in case you make a social blunder later.
The fMRI scan showed that watching a handshake activated brain regions associated with social thinking. These regions are engaged when people assess the intentions of others, according to study coauthor Florin Dolcos, PhD.
What exactly is the ideal firm handshake? You don’t want a dead-fish grip, but you also don’t want a bone-crusher. Strive for these five characteristics of a power handshake:
The Business of Handshaking
This clever little study, published in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, was led by Sanda Dolcos, PhD, a postdoc research associate in psychology at the University of Illinois. Eighteen participants watched brief animations that portrayed one character greeting another in a business setting. There was no dialogue in the clips, just body language.In some cases, the host was warm and welcoming, with open arms and a smile. In other cases, the host was less inviting, with crossed arms and a scowl. Half the time in both conditions, the interaction was preceded by a handshake.
As participants watched the animated clips, researchers measured their brain activity with functional MRI (fMRI). Participants then rated the hosts on competence, trustworthiness, and appeal as a business partner. Not surprisingly, the welcoming host was rated more positively on these dimensions, and a handshake just enhanced that good impression.
More interestingly, a handshake also blunted the negative reaction to the uninviting host. The implication is that shaking someone’s hand when you first meet may offer a bit of insurance in case you make a social blunder later.
The fMRI scan showed that watching a handshake activated brain regions associated with social thinking. These regions are engaged when people assess the intentions of others, according to study coauthor Florin Dolcos, PhD.
Let’s Shake on It
Based on previous research, you're more likely to be seen as outgoing, emotionally expressive, and trustworthy if you have a good handshake. Plus, in one study, when college students played the role of applicants in mock job interviews, those with firm handshakes were rated as more suitable for employment by interviewers.What exactly is the ideal firm handshake? You don’t want a dead-fish grip, but you also don’t want a bone-crusher. Strive for these five characteristics of a power handshake:
- Strong
- Vigorous
- Long duration
- Direct eye contact
- Complete grip
0 التعليقات:
Post a Comment