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.

Author Biographies

Danielle Kilgo, Indiana University

Danielle Kilgo is an assistant professor of journalism at Indiana University. Her research focuses on digital communication, marginalized populations, and social change. Her work appears in academic journals such as the Journal of Communication, Journalism, Journalism Studies, Digital Journalism, and the International Journal of Communication. She earned her Ph.D. in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin in 2017. Previously, Kilgo worked as a photojournalist and public relations professional. 

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.

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

Renita Coleman, professor at the University of Texas School of Journalism, earned her Ph.D. in journalism from the University of Missouri in 2001. Her latest book, published in 2015 with Denis Wu, is Image and Emotion in Voter Decisions: The Affect Agenda. Her research focuses mainly on visual communication and ethics, and she has published more than 30 peer reviewed articles in leading academic journals. She is currently working on an experimental design textbook for Sage.

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Published

2018-09-28

Issue

Vol. 12 (2018)

Section

Articles

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