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Article
Vocal Synchrony in Psychotherapy
Psychology Faculty Publication Series
  • Catherine M. Reich, University of Memphis
  • Jeffrey S. Berman, University of Memphis
  • Rick Dale, University of California
  • Hiedi Levitt, University of Massachusetts Boston
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2014
Abstract

Matching of nonverbal behaviors in conversation, known as synchrony, is sometimes shown to predict the rapport between conversational partners. The aim of this study was to examine whether synchrony in vocal pitch between psychotherapists and clients is similarly associated with rapport. Recordings of psychotherapy sessions were analyzed to extract thesynchrony in pitch of therapist and client speech, and these synchrony measures were then related to measures of the therapy relationship and treatment outcome. Results indicated that pitch synchrony did occur in the sessions but higher levels of synchrony were related to poorer therapeutic relationships and greater distress. These findings suggest that the vocal pitch of therapists and their clients may be of importance in understanding the psychotherapy interaction.

Community Engaged/Serving
No, this is not community-engaged.
Publisher
Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, Guilford Press
Citation Information
Reich, C. M., Berman, J. S., Dale, R., & Levitt, H. M. (2014). Vocal synchrony in psychotherapy. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 33.5, 481-494. doi: 10.1521/jscp.2014.33.5.481