Effects of nonverbal examiner praise on selected WAIS subtest performance of Lebanese undergraduates

Forty Lebanese undergraduates were randomly assigned to one of two treatment conditions. Students in the experimental group were tested by an examiner who leaned forward in an attentive posture throughout the course of the examination. The examiner also established and maintained eye contact as each question was presented while simultaneously smiling and nodding after every response. The subjects in the second treatment received neutral nonverbal examiner feedback. In this instance the examiner consistently leaned back in his seat and looked down at the protocol as he presented each item while assuming and maintaining a blank expression. Significant differences were noted between the Digit Span and Similarities scores of the treatment groups. The efficacy of the treatment as a means of reinforcing performance or reducing situational anxiety was noted and recommendations for Middle Eastern and Occidental psychologists were presented.