Face Value: Linking Nonverbal Cues to Character Traits in Impression Formation of Politicians

Authors

  • Danielle Kilgo Indiana University
  • Trent R. Boutler Trent Boulter is a clinical assistant professor in the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University. He graduated with his Ph. D. in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin in 2017. Trent's research centers on social media and using the lens of media management to understanding the current media environment and how audiences select their information sources. His future research plans are to continue investigating the role of individual brands and the influence of their equity on audience members’ media consumption habits.
  • Renita Coleman University of Texas at Austin

Keywords:

political communication, nonverbal communication, character traits, impression formation

Abstract

This study identifies how audiences use nonverbal cues to judge specific character traits in political figures. Participants assessed pictures that showed the example politician making eye contact with another person with highest scores. His hand positions received the lowest character-trait scores. Findings show that participants associated direct eye contact and smiling with characteristics such as intelligence, good leadership, and caring, but not morality or honesty. In fact, no nonverbal cue affected evaluations of morality. However, those who judged the candidate as moral from nonverbal cues had a greater likelihood of voting for him.

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Published

2018-09-28

Issue

Vol. 12 (2018)

Section

Articles