A strong handshake can give a good first impression

Scientists at the Beckman Institute,US,found that 8220;a handshake 8230; not only increases the positive effect toward a favourable interaction,but also diminishes the impact of a negative impression.8221;

Researchers led by Florin Dolcos and postdoctoral research associate Sanda Dolcos have obvious implications for those who want to make a good impression.

8220;I would tell them to be aware of the power of a handshake,8221; said Sanda.

8220;Many of our social interactions may go wrong for one reason or another,and a simple handshake preceding them can give us a boost and attenuate the negative impact of possible misunderstandings,8221; she said in a statement.

These findings are based on functional magnetic resonance imaging fMRI and behavioural responses,collected from male and female volunteers who watched and rated animated videos of non-verbal guest-host interactions in a business setting.

The results,for the first time,give a scientific underpinning to long-held beliefs about the important role a handshake plays in social or business interactions.

Dolcos added that it8217;s not just any handshake that leads to positive feelings,but a particular way of shaking hands,such as a firm,confident,yet friendly handshake,as is often promoted as good business practice.

8220;In a business setting this is what people are expecting,and those who know these things use them. Not a very long time ago you could get a loan based on a handshake. So it conveys something very important,very basic,8221; said Dolcos.

8220;Yet the science underlying this is so far behind. We knew these things intuitively but now we also have the scientific support,8221; added Dolcos.

The study findings are published in the Journal Cognitive Neuroscience.