The Impact of Seating Arrangements on Self-Disclosure

This project tests experimentally whether people find it easier to disclose stressful information if they can easily avoid eye contact with a conversation partner, such as a parent, doctor, or therapist. For example, some early evidence suggests that children might be more likely to report traumatic experiences when driving with their parents, where lack of direct eye contact might make it easier for them to open up. We are comparing anxiety, stress, and comfort levels when people recall a stressful event while seated face-to-face or side-by-side with their partner. We are also examining people’s physiological stress responses (e.g., heart rate) and coupling of physiological responses (e.g., synchronized heart rates) between partners.