Oral Presentation: Smile for the webcam: Interviewer non-verbal behaviours’ effect on perceptions of rapport and information disclosure in virtual interviews

Title: Smile for the webcam: Interviewer non-verbal behaviours’ effect on perceptions of  rapport and information disclosure in virtual interviews

Abstract:

Although the definition for rapport-building varies according to the context in which it is  established, most agree that non-verbal behaviours facilitate it (e.g., smiling, body posture,  nodding). These behaviours are believed to allow the interviewers to communicate positivity,  actively listen and present an approachable demeanour which are key components of rapport building in investigative interviews. The objective of this exploratory study is to examine non verbal behaviours exhibited by interviewers within a virtual interviewing context and their  relation to participants’ perception of rapport and the subsequent information disclosure. As part of an existing study, participants (N = 94) were shown a sexual education video and then  questioned about the video in a live virtual interview using either a Rapport (e.g., smiling,  nodding, looking towards the screen) or No-Rapport (e.g., no smiling, looking away from the  screen) approach. Preliminary results (N= 35) suggest that within the Rapport condition, ‘smiling’ was moderately correlated with information disclosure while ‘nodding’ was  moderately correlated with both perceived rapport and information disclosure. Within the No Rapport condition, ‘head shaking’ was moderately correlated with information disclosure and  ‘nodding’ was moderately correlated with both perceived rapport and information disclosure.  Implications of this study for interviews conducted virtually will be discussed.