Handshakes and Personality
Abstract
Handshakes were rated on nine different aspects by examiners and then participants were given a personality test based on the Big Five Factor Model. The handshakes were then compared to the results from the personality tests and scored based on the most dominant features of personality. Those with firm handshakes and good eye contact were found to be more extroverted and more agreeable, were as those with weaker handshakes and less eye contact were more introverted and less open to new experience. The complete results are far more complex and more informative about many types of handshakes and the personalities that belong to the people giving them. The results show a considerable correlation between the handshake someone gives, and their personality. Keywords: Big Five Factor Model, handshakes, personality
Handshakes and Personality
The beginning of the handshake predates written history, making a definite explanation impossible. Many stories exist to explain the origin, ranging from comedic to spiritual. The most plausible explanation comes from the medieval times, where the open right hand indicated you were not carrying a weapon. If two men met and displayed empty right hands, they could assume they would not be attacked by the other (Varley, 2009). In everyday American life, people are constantly greeting one another in many different fashions. In the American business world, the handshake is dominant salutations. While as children our opportunity to practice the handshake is rarely given and as we enter adulthood, we are thrown into this highly regarded greeting. We are always told to have firm grip and make good eye contact, but handshakes tend to be very different with everyone you meet. Why is this? Our major personality traits tend to over ride our intended actions, creating a very natural way of doing things; based on whom we are. With practice, we can manipulate our handshake to be a more desirable but most people would not think of
Handshakes were rated on nine different aspects by examiners and then participants were given a personality test based on the Big Five Factor Model. The handshakes were then compared to the results from the personality tests and scored based on the most dominant features of personality. Those with firm handshakes and good eye contact were found to be more extroverted and more agreeable, were as those with weaker handshakes and less eye contact were more introverted and less open to new experience. The complete results are far more complex and more informative about many types of handshakes and the personalities that belong to the people giving them. The results show a considerable correlation between the handshake someone gives, and their personality. Keywords: Big Five Factor Model, handshakes, personality
Handshakes and Personality
The beginning of the handshake predates written history, making a definite explanation impossible. Many stories exist to explain the origin, ranging from comedic to spiritual. The most plausible explanation comes from the medieval times, where the open right hand indicated you were not carrying a weapon. If two men met and displayed empty right hands, they could assume they would not be attacked by the other (Varley, 2009). In everyday American life, people are constantly greeting one another in many different fashions. In the American business world, the handshake is dominant salutations. While as children our opportunity to practice the handshake is rarely given and as we enter adulthood, we are thrown into this highly regarded greeting. We are always told to have firm grip and make good eye contact, but handshakes tend to be very different with everyone you meet. Why is this? Our major personality traits tend to over ride our intended actions, creating a very natural way of doing things; based on whom we are. With practice, we can manipulate our handshake to be a more desirable but most people would not think of
References: Bernieri, F. J., & Petty, K. N. (2011). The influence of handshakes on first impression accuracy. Social Influence, 6(2), 78-87. doi: 10.1080/15534510.2011.566706 Burkhardt, J. C., Weider-Hatfield, D., & Hocking, J. E. (1985). Detailed record eye contact contrast effects in the employment interview. Communication Research Reports, 2(1), 5-10. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.libproxy.troy.edu/ehost/detail?vid=7&hid=13&sid=ac9aee40-4bce-4d3f-9e83-bf1f0e004ae6@sessionmgr11&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ== Chaplin, W. F. (2000). Handshaking, gender, personality, and first impressions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79(1), 110-117. doi: 10.1037/0022- 3514.79.1.110 Neimark, N. F. (n.d.). The fight or flight response. Retrieved from http://www.thebodysoulconnection.com/EducationCenter/fight.html Stewart, G. L., Dustin, S. L., Darnold, T. C., & Barrick, M. R. (2008). Exploring the handshake in employment interviews. Journal of Applied Psychology, 93(5), 1139–1146. doi: 10.1037/0021- 9010.93.5.1139 Todorov, A., Pakrashi, M., & Oosterhof, N. N. (2009). Evaluating faces on trustworthiness after minimal time exposure. Social Cognition, 27(6), 813-833. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.libproxy.troy.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=2ca83cd5- aeaf-4e5c-84da-53628b2298d1@sessionmgr11&vid=10&hid=113 Varley, L. (2009, January 4). Origins of the handshake. Retrieved from http://www.junkworthknowing.com/history/origins_of_the_handshake Raymond, L., Hang-Yue, N., Lingqing, Z., & Victor, L. P. (2011). The interaction between leader–member exchange and perceived job security in predicting employee altruism and work performance. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 84(4), 669-685. doi: 10.1348/096317910X510468