First Impressions & Thin Slices
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Enjoy Mediation by Jeff Thompson March 2012 |
If first impressions are so important in a variety of interactions and professions, what role could it play in mediation sessions?
These first impressions are based on, and often are accurate yet done subconsciously, nonverbal communication cues and elements. Consider:
Did you shake hands of both of the parties when you first met them?
Did you smile?
How were you dressed?
How did you arrange the room?
Was your seat closer to one party?
These are just a few questions to ask yourself how the mediation session begins ever before it 'begins'. I think these nonverbal communication cues and elements, specifically during the initial encounter of the parties are critical to the rest of the session. How important do I think this is? I am doing my PhD research on it! (see a three minute video and/or Prezi on my research HERE).
Interested in reading more about first impressions and thin slice methodology?
I invite you to read my latest article at PsychologyToday.com [HERE]. Below is a snippet:
Thin slice methodology is an important term to understand when it comes to wanting to be effective communicators, especially with nonverbal cues and elements. Firstly, let me be clear that the term 'thin slice' has nothing to do with the width of a slice of pizza!
What thin slice methodology does refer to is observing a small selection of an interaction, usually less than 5 minutes, and being able to accurately draw to conclusions in the emotions and attitudes of the people interacting. These observations are, often surprisingly to many people, very accurate compared to self-ratings and ratings based on the entire interaction. This holds true even when based on observing only a few seconds of the interaction with the first moments of the interaction being the most relevant (Ambady et al, 2000). 5 second clips have been reported to be just as accurate as 5 minutes clips (Ambady & Rosenthal, 1993).
Read the rest [HERE].
Biography
Jeff Thompson is a certified international mediator. He is also a law enforcement detective in New York. His law enforcement role include a being a communication and conflict specialist, interfaith dialogue, developing and implementing community engagement programs, and designing training workshops.
Jeff is currently a PhD candidate researching nonverbal communication and mediation at Griffith University Law School. He also received his MS in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution from the Creighton University School of Law. Jeff has presented and trained on the topic of conflict, mediation, communication and nonverbal communication internationally and has been published and featured with numerous international media organizations. He currently writes also at PsychologyToday.com.
(All posts by Jeff Thompson represent his personal reflections and opinions as a mediator and not that of any organization.)
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