Power of handshake revealed

In a new neuroscience research, scientists have confirmed an old adage about the power of a handshake - strangers do form a better impression of those who proffer their hand in greeting.

A firm, friendly handshake has long been recommended in the business world as a way to make a good first impression, and the greeting is thought to date from ancient times as a way of showing a stranger you had no weapons.

Now, a new study led by Beckman Institute researcher Florin Dolcos and Department of Psychology postdoctoral research associate Sanda Dolcos on neural correlates of a handshake is giving insight into just how important the practice is to the evaluations we make of subsequent social interactions.

The researchers found that "a handshake preceding social interaction enhanced the positive impact of approach and diminished the negative impact of avoidance behaviour on the evaluation of social interaction."

Their results, for the first time, give a scientific underpinning to long-held beliefs about the important role a handshake plays in social or business interactions.

Sanda Dolcos said their findings have obvious implications for those who want to make a good impression.

"I would tell them to be aware of the power of a handshake," she said.

"We found that it not only increases the positive effect toward a favourable interaction, but it also diminishes the impact of a negative impression. Many of our social interactions may go wrong for a reason or another, and a simple handshake preceding them can give us a boost and attenuate the negative impact of possible misunderstandings," Dolcos said.

The study focused experimentally on approach and avoidance behaviours in social interactions. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), skin conductance, and behavioural responses were collected from18 male and female volunteers who watched and rated animated videos of non-verbal guest-host interactions in a business setting.

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