The Role of Overt Head Movement in the Formation of Affect

Reasoning that nodding head movements up and down serve a mnemesic function of positive thoughts and feelings and shaking head movements from side to side serve a mnemesic function of negative thoughts and feelings, this study determined that nodding head movements resulted in the establishment of increased preference for a neutral object, whereas shaking head movements lead a decline in preference for the neutral object. The findings suggest that overt head movement is instrumental in the formation of preference and focuses attention on the importance of the somatic component of attitude.