Hillary Anger Elfenbein | Washington University in St. Louis (original) (raw)
Papers by Hillary Anger Elfenbein
Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, May 1, 2007
The expression of nonverbal cues may differ systematically across cultures. Common cues used in d... more The expression of nonverbal cues may differ systematically across cultures. Common cues used in distinct ways cross-culturally may be termed nonverbal accents. The data in this study indicate that nonverbal accents can help perceivers to distinguish the nationality of expressers. In Study 1, American participants could determine the nationality of Australian and American adults with above-chance accuracy when viewing their emotional expressions but not neutral expressions. In Study 2, American participants could also ...
Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, May 1, 2007
The expression of nonverbal cues may differ systematically across cultures. Common cues used in d... more The expression of nonverbal cues may differ systematically across cultures. Common cues used in distinct ways cross-culturally may be termed nonverbal accents. The data in this study indicate that nonverbal accents can help perceivers to distinguish the nationality of expressers. In Study 1, American participants could determine the nationality of Australian and American adults with above-chance accuracy when viewing their emotional expressions but not neutral expressions. In Study 2, American participants could also ...
Which emotions are associated with universally recognized non-verbal signals? We address this iss... more Which emotions are associated with universally recognized non-verbal signals? We address this issue by examining how reliably non-linguistic vocalizations (affect bursts) can convey emotions across cultures. Actors from India, Kenya, Singapore, and USA were instructed to produce vocalizations that would convey nine positive and nine negative emotions to listeners. The vocalizations were judged by Swedish listeners using a within-valence forced-choice procedure, where positive and negative emotions were judged in separate experiments. Results showed that listeners could recognize a wide range of positive and negative emotions with accuracy above chance. For positive emotions, we observed the highest recognition rates for relief, followed by lust, interest, serenity and positive surprise, with affection and pride receiving the lowest recognition rates. Anger, disgust, fear, sadness, and negative surprise received the highest recognition rates for negative emotions, with the lowest rates observed for guilt and shame. By way of summary, results showed that the voice can reveal both basic emotions and several positive emotions other than happiness across cultures, but self-conscious emotions such as guilt, pride, and shame seem not to be well recognized from non-linguistic vocalizations.
The empirical link between corporate social performance (CSP) and corporate financial performance... more The empirical link between corporate social performance (CSP) and corporate financial performance (CFP) has been steadily investigated for 35 years. We conduct a meta-analysis of 192 effects revealed in 167 studies. The overall effect is positive but small (mean r=.13, median r=.08). Looking deeper, we analyze these effects across nine categories of CSP. We find that the association is strongest for the analysis of the specific dimensions of charitable contributions, revealed misdeeds, and environmental performance and when CSP is assessed more broadly through observer perceptions and self-reported social performance. The association is weakest for the specific dimensions of corporate policies and transparency and when CSP is assessed more broadly through third-party audits and mutual fund screens. Although the results suggest no financial penalty for CSP, they indicate at least as strong a link from prior CFP to subsequent CSP as the reverse. We conclude that if future research on the link persists, it should meet a number of minimum standards. Ideally, though, efforts to find a link should be redirected to better understand why companies pursue CSP, the mechanisms connecting prior CFP to subsequent CSP, and how companies manage the process of pursuing both CSP and CFP simultaneously.
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000
According to a longstanding consensus among researchers, individual differences play a limited ro... more According to a longstanding consensus among researchers, individual differences play a limited role in predicting negotiation outcomes. This consensus stemmed from an early narrative review based on limited data. Testing the validity of this consensus, a meta-analysis of negotiation studies revealed a significant role for a wide range of individual difference variables. Cognitive ability, emotional intelligence, and numerous personality traits demonstrated predictive validity over multiple outcome measures. Relevant criteria included individual economic value, joint economic value, and psychological subjective value for both the negotiator and counterpart. Each of the Big 5 personality traits predicted at least one outcome measure, with the exception of conscientiousness. Characteristics of research design moderated some associations. Field data showed stronger effects than did laboratory studies. The authors conclude that the irrelevance consensus was misguided, and consider implications for theory, education, and practice.
Understanding Facial Expressions in Communication, 2014
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000
We examine the social perception of emotional intelligence (EI) through the use of observer ratings.
Psychological science, 2003
We report evidence for nonverbal "accents," subtle differences in the appearance of fac... more We report evidence for nonverbal "accents," subtle differences in the appearance of facial expressions of emotion across cultures. Participants viewed photographs of Japanese nationals and Japanese Americans in which posers' muscle movements were standardized to eliminate differences in expressions, cultural or otherwise. Participants guessed the nationality of posers displaying emotional expressions at above-chance levels, and with greater accuracy than they judged the nationality of the same posers displaying neutral expressions. These findings indicate that facial expressions of emotion can contain nonverbal accents that identify the expresser's nationality or culture. Cultural differences are intensified during the act of expressing emotion, rather than residing only in facial features or other static elements of appearance. This evidence suggests that extreme positions regarding the universality of emotional expressions are incomplete.
Nonverbal communication is an important but under-studied element of organizational life. This ch... more Nonverbal communication is an important but under-studied element of organizational life. This chapter summarizes key insights into the functions, applications, and ubiquity of nonverbal communication in the workplace setting. The chapter is intended to provide an accessible and research-based resource by which academics and practitioners alike can better understand the unique challenges and opportunities of nonverbal communication. The authors present an overview of nonverbal behavior, speak about the workplace as a communication context, and explore the details of relevant issues including: status and power, physical appearance, interviews and performance assessments, sexual harassment, attire and uniforms, leadership communications, advertising and sales, emotions and deception, and computer mediated communication. Future directions in organizational nonverbal behavior research are also discussed.
for their guidance and support.
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000
The empirical link between corporate social performance (CSP) and corporate financial performance... more The empirical link between corporate social performance (CSP) and corporate financial performance (CFP) has been steadily investigated for 35 years. We conduct a meta-analysis of 192 effects revealed in 167 studies. The overall effect is positive but small (mean r=.13, median r=.08). Looking deeper, we analyze these effects across nine categories of CSP. We find that the association is strongest for the analysis of the specific dimensions of charitable contributions, revealed misdeeds, and environmental performance and when CSP is assessed more broadly through observer perceptions and self-reported social performance. The association is weakest for the specific dimensions of corporate policies and transparency and when CSP is assessed more broadly through third-party audits and mutual fund screens. Although the results suggest no financial penalty for CSP, they indicate at least as strong a link from prior CFP to subsequent CSP as the reverse. We conclude that if future research on the link persists, it should meet a number of minimum standards. Ideally, though, efforts to find a link should be redirected to better understand why companies pursue CSP, the mechanisms connecting prior CFP to subsequent CSP, and how companies manage the process of pursuing both CSP and CFP simultaneously.
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000
Previous research on the link between individual differences in emotional expression and emotion ... more Previous research on the link between individual differences in emotional expression and emotion recognition over six decades revealed widely varying results. A recent meta-analysis ) showed a positive correlation for displays elicited as intentional communication, but zero for naturalistic displays. However, the longstanding mystery dissipated interest, preventing work from using updated authoritative methods for studying individual differences. With Kenny's (1994) Social Relations Model, we tested round robin groups in which each participant posed their emotions and later judged the expressions of each other member. The design included emotion inductions to increase expressers' authentic experience. The resulting effect size, ρ=.51, r=.43, is larger than previously typical. Implications are discussed for theories on individual emotional skills. Displaying and Perceiving Nonverbal Cues 3 Displaying and perceiving nonverbal cues of affect: New data on an old question For decades there has been a mystery regarding the relationship between individual differences in accuracy of emotional expression and accuracy of emotion recognition. These two skills are central to models of
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000
The authors address the longstanding mystery of individual differences in negotiation performance... more The authors address the longstanding mystery of individual differences in negotiation performance. Using Social Relations Model to examine the role of individual consistency in this dyadic process, analyses showed 52% of the variance in performance resulted from individual differences. Beyond demonstrating consistency, coding systems were used to examine transcripts, linguistic style, and nonverbal behavior in order to 'open the black box' and understand what makes some negotiators better than others. With hypotheses grounded in Behavioral Negotiation Theory and Interpersonal Theory, results showed that consistently great negotiators differed substantially from consistently poor negotiators in their behavioral profiles. Limitations and future directions for reinvigorating research in this area are discussed. Abstract The authors address the longstanding mystery of individual differences in negotiation performance. Using Kenny's (1994) Social Relations Model to examine the role of individual consistency in this dyadic process, analyses showed 52% of the variance in performance resulted from individual differences. Beyond demonstrating consistency, coding systems were used to examine transcripts, linguistic style, and nonverbal behavior in order to 'open the black box' and understand what makes some negotiators better than others. With hypotheses grounded in Behavioral Negotiation Theory and Interpersonal Theory, results showed that consistently great negotiators differed substantially from consistently poor negotiators in their behavioral profiles. Limitations and future directions for reinvigorating research in this area are discussed.
The Academy of Management Annals, 2007
Search. Advanced Search Within current journal Entire site. Home > List of Issues > Table o... more Search. Advanced Search Within current journal Entire site. Home > List of Issues > Table of Contents > 7 Emotion in Organizations. ... 7 Emotion in Organizations. ...
Social Psychological and Personality Science, 2012
Vocal expressions are thought to convey information about speakers' emotional states, but may als... more Vocal expressions are thought to convey information about speakers' emotional states, but may also reflect the antecedent cognitive appraisal processes that produced the emotions. We investigated the perception of emotion-eliciting situations on the basis of vocal expressions. Professional actors vocally portrayed different emotions by enacting emotion-eliciting situations. Judges then rated these expressions with respect to the emotion-eliciting situation described in terms of appraisal dimensions (i.e., novelty, intrinsic pleasantness, goal conduciveness, urgency, power, self-and other-responsibility, and norm compatibility), achieving good agreement. The perceived appraisal profiles for the different emotions were generally in accord with predictions based on appraisal theory. The appraisal ratings also correlated with a variety of acoustic measures related to pitch, intensity, voice quality, and temporal characteristics. Results suggest that several aspects of emotion-eliciting situations can be inferred reliably and validly from vocal expressions which, thus, may carry information about the cognitive representation of events.
Psychological Science, 2009
Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, May 1, 2007
The expression of nonverbal cues may differ systematically across cultures. Common cues used in d... more The expression of nonverbal cues may differ systematically across cultures. Common cues used in distinct ways cross-culturally may be termed nonverbal accents. The data in this study indicate that nonverbal accents can help perceivers to distinguish the nationality of expressers. In Study 1, American participants could determine the nationality of Australian and American adults with above-chance accuracy when viewing their emotional expressions but not neutral expressions. In Study 2, American participants could also ...
Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, May 1, 2007
The expression of nonverbal cues may differ systematically across cultures. Common cues used in d... more The expression of nonverbal cues may differ systematically across cultures. Common cues used in distinct ways cross-culturally may be termed nonverbal accents. The data in this study indicate that nonverbal accents can help perceivers to distinguish the nationality of expressers. In Study 1, American participants could determine the nationality of Australian and American adults with above-chance accuracy when viewing their emotional expressions but not neutral expressions. In Study 2, American participants could also ...
Which emotions are associated with universally recognized non-verbal signals? We address this iss... more Which emotions are associated with universally recognized non-verbal signals? We address this issue by examining how reliably non-linguistic vocalizations (affect bursts) can convey emotions across cultures. Actors from India, Kenya, Singapore, and USA were instructed to produce vocalizations that would convey nine positive and nine negative emotions to listeners. The vocalizations were judged by Swedish listeners using a within-valence forced-choice procedure, where positive and negative emotions were judged in separate experiments. Results showed that listeners could recognize a wide range of positive and negative emotions with accuracy above chance. For positive emotions, we observed the highest recognition rates for relief, followed by lust, interest, serenity and positive surprise, with affection and pride receiving the lowest recognition rates. Anger, disgust, fear, sadness, and negative surprise received the highest recognition rates for negative emotions, with the lowest rates observed for guilt and shame. By way of summary, results showed that the voice can reveal both basic emotions and several positive emotions other than happiness across cultures, but self-conscious emotions such as guilt, pride, and shame seem not to be well recognized from non-linguistic vocalizations.
The empirical link between corporate social performance (CSP) and corporate financial performance... more The empirical link between corporate social performance (CSP) and corporate financial performance (CFP) has been steadily investigated for 35 years. We conduct a meta-analysis of 192 effects revealed in 167 studies. The overall effect is positive but small (mean r=.13, median r=.08). Looking deeper, we analyze these effects across nine categories of CSP. We find that the association is strongest for the analysis of the specific dimensions of charitable contributions, revealed misdeeds, and environmental performance and when CSP is assessed more broadly through observer perceptions and self-reported social performance. The association is weakest for the specific dimensions of corporate policies and transparency and when CSP is assessed more broadly through third-party audits and mutual fund screens. Although the results suggest no financial penalty for CSP, they indicate at least as strong a link from prior CFP to subsequent CSP as the reverse. We conclude that if future research on the link persists, it should meet a number of minimum standards. Ideally, though, efforts to find a link should be redirected to better understand why companies pursue CSP, the mechanisms connecting prior CFP to subsequent CSP, and how companies manage the process of pursuing both CSP and CFP simultaneously.
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000
According to a longstanding consensus among researchers, individual differences play a limited ro... more According to a longstanding consensus among researchers, individual differences play a limited role in predicting negotiation outcomes. This consensus stemmed from an early narrative review based on limited data. Testing the validity of this consensus, a meta-analysis of negotiation studies revealed a significant role for a wide range of individual difference variables. Cognitive ability, emotional intelligence, and numerous personality traits demonstrated predictive validity over multiple outcome measures. Relevant criteria included individual economic value, joint economic value, and psychological subjective value for both the negotiator and counterpart. Each of the Big 5 personality traits predicted at least one outcome measure, with the exception of conscientiousness. Characteristics of research design moderated some associations. Field data showed stronger effects than did laboratory studies. The authors conclude that the irrelevance consensus was misguided, and consider implications for theory, education, and practice.
Understanding Facial Expressions in Communication, 2014
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000
We examine the social perception of emotional intelligence (EI) through the use of observer ratings.
Psychological science, 2003
We report evidence for nonverbal "accents," subtle differences in the appearance of fac... more We report evidence for nonverbal "accents," subtle differences in the appearance of facial expressions of emotion across cultures. Participants viewed photographs of Japanese nationals and Japanese Americans in which posers' muscle movements were standardized to eliminate differences in expressions, cultural or otherwise. Participants guessed the nationality of posers displaying emotional expressions at above-chance levels, and with greater accuracy than they judged the nationality of the same posers displaying neutral expressions. These findings indicate that facial expressions of emotion can contain nonverbal accents that identify the expresser's nationality or culture. Cultural differences are intensified during the act of expressing emotion, rather than residing only in facial features or other static elements of appearance. This evidence suggests that extreme positions regarding the universality of emotional expressions are incomplete.
Nonverbal communication is an important but under-studied element of organizational life. This ch... more Nonverbal communication is an important but under-studied element of organizational life. This chapter summarizes key insights into the functions, applications, and ubiquity of nonverbal communication in the workplace setting. The chapter is intended to provide an accessible and research-based resource by which academics and practitioners alike can better understand the unique challenges and opportunities of nonverbal communication. The authors present an overview of nonverbal behavior, speak about the workplace as a communication context, and explore the details of relevant issues including: status and power, physical appearance, interviews and performance assessments, sexual harassment, attire and uniforms, leadership communications, advertising and sales, emotions and deception, and computer mediated communication. Future directions in organizational nonverbal behavior research are also discussed.
for their guidance and support.
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000
The empirical link between corporate social performance (CSP) and corporate financial performance... more The empirical link between corporate social performance (CSP) and corporate financial performance (CFP) has been steadily investigated for 35 years. We conduct a meta-analysis of 192 effects revealed in 167 studies. The overall effect is positive but small (mean r=.13, median r=.08). Looking deeper, we analyze these effects across nine categories of CSP. We find that the association is strongest for the analysis of the specific dimensions of charitable contributions, revealed misdeeds, and environmental performance and when CSP is assessed more broadly through observer perceptions and self-reported social performance. The association is weakest for the specific dimensions of corporate policies and transparency and when CSP is assessed more broadly through third-party audits and mutual fund screens. Although the results suggest no financial penalty for CSP, they indicate at least as strong a link from prior CFP to subsequent CSP as the reverse. We conclude that if future research on the link persists, it should meet a number of minimum standards. Ideally, though, efforts to find a link should be redirected to better understand why companies pursue CSP, the mechanisms connecting prior CFP to subsequent CSP, and how companies manage the process of pursuing both CSP and CFP simultaneously.
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000
Previous research on the link between individual differences in emotional expression and emotion ... more Previous research on the link between individual differences in emotional expression and emotion recognition over six decades revealed widely varying results. A recent meta-analysis ) showed a positive correlation for displays elicited as intentional communication, but zero for naturalistic displays. However, the longstanding mystery dissipated interest, preventing work from using updated authoritative methods for studying individual differences. With Kenny's (1994) Social Relations Model, we tested round robin groups in which each participant posed their emotions and later judged the expressions of each other member. The design included emotion inductions to increase expressers' authentic experience. The resulting effect size, ρ=.51, r=.43, is larger than previously typical. Implications are discussed for theories on individual emotional skills. Displaying and Perceiving Nonverbal Cues 3 Displaying and perceiving nonverbal cues of affect: New data on an old question For decades there has been a mystery regarding the relationship between individual differences in accuracy of emotional expression and accuracy of emotion recognition. These two skills are central to models of
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000
The authors address the longstanding mystery of individual differences in negotiation performance... more The authors address the longstanding mystery of individual differences in negotiation performance. Using Social Relations Model to examine the role of individual consistency in this dyadic process, analyses showed 52% of the variance in performance resulted from individual differences. Beyond demonstrating consistency, coding systems were used to examine transcripts, linguistic style, and nonverbal behavior in order to 'open the black box' and understand what makes some negotiators better than others. With hypotheses grounded in Behavioral Negotiation Theory and Interpersonal Theory, results showed that consistently great negotiators differed substantially from consistently poor negotiators in their behavioral profiles. Limitations and future directions for reinvigorating research in this area are discussed. Abstract The authors address the longstanding mystery of individual differences in negotiation performance. Using Kenny's (1994) Social Relations Model to examine the role of individual consistency in this dyadic process, analyses showed 52% of the variance in performance resulted from individual differences. Beyond demonstrating consistency, coding systems were used to examine transcripts, linguistic style, and nonverbal behavior in order to 'open the black box' and understand what makes some negotiators better than others. With hypotheses grounded in Behavioral Negotiation Theory and Interpersonal Theory, results showed that consistently great negotiators differed substantially from consistently poor negotiators in their behavioral profiles. Limitations and future directions for reinvigorating research in this area are discussed.
The Academy of Management Annals, 2007
Search. Advanced Search Within current journal Entire site. Home > List of Issues > Table o... more Search. Advanced Search Within current journal Entire site. Home > List of Issues > Table of Contents > 7 Emotion in Organizations. ... 7 Emotion in Organizations. ...
Social Psychological and Personality Science, 2012
Vocal expressions are thought to convey information about speakers' emotional states, but may als... more Vocal expressions are thought to convey information about speakers' emotional states, but may also reflect the antecedent cognitive appraisal processes that produced the emotions. We investigated the perception of emotion-eliciting situations on the basis of vocal expressions. Professional actors vocally portrayed different emotions by enacting emotion-eliciting situations. Judges then rated these expressions with respect to the emotion-eliciting situation described in terms of appraisal dimensions (i.e., novelty, intrinsic pleasantness, goal conduciveness, urgency, power, self-and other-responsibility, and norm compatibility), achieving good agreement. The perceived appraisal profiles for the different emotions were generally in accord with predictions based on appraisal theory. The appraisal ratings also correlated with a variety of acoustic measures related to pitch, intensity, voice quality, and temporal characteristics. Results suggest that several aspects of emotion-eliciting situations can be inferred reliably and validly from vocal expressions which, thus, may carry information about the cognitive representation of events.
Psychological Science, 2009