The effects of physical deviance upon face-to-face interaction: The other side

Explored the behavioral output of 30 disabled male patients in interaction with a confederate appearing to be normal or disabled. Using a modified procedure of previous studies where it was found that physically normal persons contribute nonverbal cues of "discomfort" to normal-handicapped interactions, it was found that the physically disabled also contribute cues of "discomfort" in such interactions. Consistent with expectations, physically handicapped Ss interacting with a physically normal interviewer, as compared to Ss interacting with a physically disabled interviewer, (a) terminated the interactions sooner, (b) showed greater motoric inhibitions, (c) exhibited less smiling behavior, (d) demonstrated less eye contact with the interviewer, and (e) admitted feeling less comfortable during the interaction. Contrary to expectations, Ss maintained a greater physical distance in the interaction with the disabled interviewer and demonstrated generally less variability in their verbal output when speaking to him.