Nonverbal Deflection of Verbal Attacks Neutralizes the Impact of Opponent Aggression in Televised Encounters

• In Event: Media Dynamics and the Shaping of Public Perception

Brief Overview

Do nonverbal reactions neutralize verbal attacks on TV? We test this proposition using data from two experiments conducted in 2020 and 2024, each featuring Kamala Harris shown in a series of still reaction shots next to Mike Pence, then Donald Trump.

Authors

• Erik P. Bucy, Texas Tech University

• Zijian Gong, Texas Tech University