THE EFFECTS OF NONVERBAL BEHAVIOR ON THE SOCIAL REJECTION OF DEPRESSED INDIVIDUALS

Coyne's (1976a) theory of depression postulates that depressed individuals are socially rejected and that this perpetuates and worsens the depressive state. Numerous studies have supported the suggestion that depressed persons elicit greater social rejection than normal controls. This study examined the effect that the nonverbal behavior (NVB) of depressed individuals has on this social rejection process.;Analysis was conducted on the total scores for each dependent measure and on each item of the SRS. Results from the three scales revealed significant four-way interactions (F = 9.33, p < .05; F = 4.27, p < .05; F = 4.64, p < .05, respectively). These results indicated that Ts who exhibited depressed NVB were significantly more socially rejected than those who exhibited normal NVB. The biographical sketch, however, had variable impact. When the depressed sketch was paired with normal NVB it increased social rejection for male Ss and for female Ss responding to a male T. Female Ss reported less social rejection for a female T in this condition. When the depressed biographical sketch was paired with depressed NVB it had little effect on male subjects' responses. Female Ss reported greater social rejection for a female T and less for a male T in this condition. No differences were noted for sex of subject or sex of T as independent variables.;Results are discussed in terms of sex role expectations. Also, suggestions for future research and implications for theories of depression are presented.;Subjects (N = 192) read a biographical sketch of a target person (T) and were shown a videotaped interaction between the T and a confederate. The biographical sketch was one of four formats depicting a depressed or nondepressed male T or a depressed or nondepressed female T. Each subject then saw one of four videotapes: male T exhibiting normal NVB; male T exhibiting depressed NVB; female T exhibiting normal NVB; or female T exhibiting depressed NVB. These procedures created sixteen conditions across four variables; sex of subject; sex of T; NVB; and biographical sketch. Dependent measures consisted of the Social Rejection Scale, Social Rejection Index and the Measurement of Interpersonal Attraction.