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II. Strokes and Transactions

The Effect of Positive Verbal Strokes on Fingertip Skin Temperature: Objective Measurement of Interpersonal Interaction

Pages 306-309
Published online: 28 Dec 2017
 
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The effect of positive verbal strokes (warm fuzzies) on skin temperature was measured in an interview situation. Experimental subjects (N = 15) were interviewed by an examiner who gave them positive verbal strokes when they answered questions about school, hobbies, taste in clothes and demographic data. Control subjects (N = 15) were asked the same questions by the same examiner but no positive strokes were given for their replies. The females of the experimental group showed a significant increase in fingertip skin temperature whereas the control group showed no significant changes in skin temperature.

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Author information

Esther Jill Pinsker

Esther Jill Pinsker, MA, MSW, RM, is a graduate student at the University of Houston in the School of Social Work, and is in private practice in Galveston. Harold L. Russell, PhD, is an assistant professor and clinical psychologist, Department of Psychiatry, at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.