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Matching

 

Techniques > Conversation techniques > Reflecting > Matching

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

 

Description

'Matching' is a kind of 'sloppy mirroring', still reflecting back non-verbal information, but doing so in less obvious ways. 

When they display some form of body language or other non-verbal communication, synchronize your non-verbals with theirs, but without direct copying.

You can do more matching than mirroring, but again be careful about over-doing it. It should feel natural and empathetic. If it feels odd, then you might want to wonder why.

Example

If they cross their legs, you could cross your arms. If they scratch, you could rub your arm a bit later. If they cough, you could make another sympathetic noise. If they frown, you can look pensive. If they talk fast, you could move fast.

Discussion

Matching and all other forms of reflecting work to create rapport only when they register it subconsciously but not consciously. In this way, it triggers subconscious processes of liking without them realizing why.

It is less obvious than mirroring, which allows you to do more of it. However, as with all such methods, there is a limit, and more matching does not necessarily lead to more rapport.

Sparenberg and colleagues (2012) found that matching the other person's body part is the most important part rather than matching of movements when getting others to like you.

Matching, in some ways, is the non-verbal form of paraphrasing.

See also

Mirroring, Paraphrasing

 

Sparenberg, P., Topolinski, S., Springer, A., and Prinz, W. (2012). Minimal mimicry: Mere effector matching induces preference. Brain and Cognition, 80 (3), 291-300

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Site Menu

| Home | Top | Quick Links | Settings |

Main sections: | Disciplines | Techniques | Principles | Explanations | Theories |

Other sections: | Blog! | Quotes | Guest articles | Analysis | Books | Help |

More pages: | Contact | Caveat | About | Students | Webmasters | Awards | Guestbook | Feedback | Sitemap | Changes |

Settings: | Computer layout | Mobile layout | Small font | Medium font | Large font | Translate |

 

 

Please help and share:

 

Quick links

Disciplines

* Argument
* Brand management
* Change Management
* Coaching
* Communication
* Counseling
* Game Design
* Human Resources
* Job-finding
* Leadership
* Marketing
* Politics
* Propaganda
* Rhetoric
* Negotiation
* Psychoanalysis
* Sales
* Sociology
* Storytelling
* Teaching
* Warfare
* Workplace design

Techniques

* Assertiveness
* Body language
* Change techniques
* Closing techniques
* Conversation
* Confidence tricks
* Conversion
* Creative techniques
* General techniques
* Happiness
* Hypnotism
* Interrogation
* Language
* Listening
* Negotiation tactics
* Objection handling
* Propaganda
* Problem-solving
* Public speaking
* Questioning
* Using repetition
* Resisting persuasion
* Self-development
* Sequential requests
* Storytelling
* Stress Management
* Tipping
* Using humor
* Willpower

Principles

+ Principles

Explanations

* Behaviors
* Beliefs
* Brain stuff
* Conditioning
* Coping Mechanisms
* Critical Theory
* Culture
* Decisions
* Emotions
* Evolution
* Gender
* Games
* Groups
* Habit
* Identity
* Learning
* Meaning
* Memory
* Motivation
* Models
* Needs
* Personality
* Power
* Preferences
* Research
* Relationships
* SIFT Model
* Social Research
* Stress
* Trust
* Values

Theories

* Alphabetic list
* Theory types

And

About
Guest Articles
Blog!
Books
Changes
Contact
Guestbook
Quotes
Students
Webmasters

 

| Home | Top | Menu | Quick Links |

© Changing Works 2002-
Massive Content — Maximum Speed