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The effects of cognitive complexity and arousal on client perception of counselor nonverbal behavior
Author(s) -
Uhlemann Max R.,
Lee Dong Yul,
Hasse Richard F.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/1097-4679(198907)45:4<661::aid-jclp2270450424>3.0.co;2-i
Subject(s) - psychology , nonverbal communication , arousal , perception , cognition , low arousal theory , developmental psychology , social psychology , neuroscience
This analogue study examined the interaction between cognitive complexity and arousal in client discrimination of counselor positive and negative nonverbal behavior. Thirty university students, divided into low, medium, and high arousal conditions, viewed a videotaped counseling interview in which the counselor nonverbal behaviors were varied systematically and then rated counselor perceived expertness. The results showed that subjects discriminated counselor positive and negative nonverbal behaviors in the early portion of a 30‐minute interview, but this tendency deteriorated quickly as the interview progressed. Also, there was a significant interaction between subject cognitive complexity and arousal level. Implications of the findings are discussed.