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Handshaking, gender, personality, and first impressions
W F Chaplin1, J B Phillips, J D Brown
1Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa 35487, USA. wchaplin@gp.as.ua.edu
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|July 26, 2000
Summary
A firm handshake correlates with personality traits like extraversion and emotional expressiveness. For women, a firm handshake also relates to openness and can be a form of self-promotion.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Personality Psychology
Background:
- Handshakes are believed to reflect personality and influence first impressions.
- The relationship between handshake characteristics and personality has been under-researched.
Purpose of the Study:
- To formally investigate the relationship between handshake behaviors and personality traits.
- To examine gender differences in handshaking and their correlation with personality.
- To explore how handshake characteristics influence observers' impressions.
Main Methods:
- 112 participants completed 4 personality measures.
- Each participant's handshake was assessed twice by 4 trained coders (2 male, 2 female).
- Handshake consistency, gender differences, and correlations with personality and impressions were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Participant handshakes were consistent across time and coders.
- Gender differences were observed in several handshaking characteristics.
- A firm handshake positively correlated with extraversion and emotional expressiveness, and negatively with shyness and neuroticism.
- A firm handshake was positively associated with openness to experience, specifically in women.
- Handshake characteristics predicted coders' impressions of participants.
Conclusions:
- Self-reported personality traits can predict observable behaviors like handshakes.
- Handshake firmness is linked to specific personality dimensions.
- For women, a firm handshake may serve as an effective self-promotional tool, influencing perceptions of openness.