Dominance Cues in Nonverbal Behavior

Abstract

Buiilding on some concepts and methods recently introduced by Spiegel and Machotka, this investigation deals with four common nonverbal signifiers of social dominance: ltateral opposition, precedence, posture (sitting and standing), and elevation. Our concern is to know how interdependent these signifiers may be and whether they are equally meaningful as indicators of dominaince. An analysis of variance of 64 male andfemale figure drawings shows thait elevaition accounts for about two,thirds of the explalined variation in dominance attribution. Lateral opposition effects are the weakest, while effects of intermediate strength tare found for precedence and posture. Interaction among these elements contributes very little to the aittribution of dominance. In no instance are these results affected by sex of rater or sex of dralJwn figures. The hierarthy of dominance cues that emerges from these findings is discussed in connection with recent developments in the social psychology of power symbolism.