Effects of scene manipulation on role-play test behavior

Abstract

A number of investigations have demonstrated that by manipulating components of the role-play test procedure, subjects' behavior is differentially affected. An area that has not been widely studied using role-play paradigms is the effect of outcome expectancy on interpersonal behavior. This study evaluated the relationship between expectancy and behavior by manipulating role-play test scene descriptions. Specifically, additional information was added to descriptions portraying the confederate as easily approachable (positive expectancy) or difficult to approach (negative expectancy). Role-played interactions were subsequently rated on a variety of verbal and nonverbal indices of social skill. Data indicated that subjects were less socially effective in responding during negative expectancy scenes. Likewise, subjects were rated as somewhat more socially effective during positive expectancy scenes. In addition, high-anxious subjects (as determined through self-report inventories) appeared to be more responsive to manipulation than their low-anxious peers. Results are discussed in terms of (1) the role of outcome expectancy in interpersonal behavior and (2) the need for further refinement of role-play tests.