Added: 2 years ago
From: PBS
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  • wow! that is an interesting phenomenon about human nature, I have noticed it before but never really knew the socialism behind it, thanks Alan Alda & PBS :)

  • Very interesting!

  • I wonder if there is also a difference between men and women, in the sense that women tend to feel more compelled to "help", i.e. the pen exercise. I was a little taken aback that he just kind of sat there but I did wonder if that was more social shaping between men and women. Just wondering if they factor that in and if it makes a difference.

  • I thought it was really interesting how you could see he really wanted to help, but he was looking for permission. His self confidence with others seemed like it was temporarily damaged.

  • I think he just didnt want to get up and only got 1 pen just to be polite.

  • lol... which in the end wasn't

  • there are many variables to be taken into account, but this is fascinating, nonverbal communication skills and understanding is essential to people, social skills. this is also something that is not explicitly taught.

  • That is so cool. I have a friend who mimicks and it is very obvious and annoying to everyone.

  • @jenakinae Yeah. I would have thought that mimicry would be off-putting, not socially appealing. Strange.

  • ahh crap. I commented last time while watching the video. they answered my concerns further along. nice job, folks.

  • I'd be interested to know if they have other DV's. This one seems weak.

  • I remember learning about this through neurolinguistic programming. I think Alan Alda's reasons for not sitting next to the chair with the clothes on it (bad camera shot) remind us of the limitations of interpreting behavior when there are so many potential variables.

  • i think the reason most people would select the third chair in the line is to maintain personal space between the items sitting in the first chair and yourself (Alan Alda in this case)

  • You're on the right track baalzebubamerica. Human beings typically enjoy a 3 foot 'bubble' of personal space with strangers. The artifacts in the chair are made by human beings therefore causing association, both mental and emotional.

    I thought Mr. Alda's second explanation was candid with his choice of chair.

  • This is a very interesting study of human behavioral patterns. Even before it was stated I was thinking that mimicry of subtle movements causes one to feel more at ease.

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