Using Thin Slices to Investigate Impression Formation and to Measure Interpersonal Behavior From Recorded Social Interactions

This case study describes the process by which I used thin slices to investigate first impressions and how thin slices can be used to measure expressive, nonverbal behavior from a recorded social interaction. First, the thin-slice methodology is defined and described, and then I detail behavioral coding and reliability techniques. I also explain the process of publishing two specific papers whereby the reliability and validity of the thin-slice methodology to measure nonverbal behavior were systematically investigated. At the end, I offer a few words of wisdom for beginning researchers interested in using thin slices to examine social interaction processes.