In the study, 63 American preschool children (mean age 4 years, 8 months) were
approached and read stories by adult testers who displayed high versus low
frequencies of smiling and gaze. After being read to, the testers elicited
self-disclosure from the children and later the children rated the trustworthiness
and likeability of the tester (rapport measures). As additional measures of rapport,
the children's smiling, gaze, and lack of nervousness in the interactions were
observed. The results indicated that the development of rapport with children was
greater when the adult tester displayed high rather than low frequencies of smiling
but not gaze. Children's shyness also contributed to the development of rapport.
Shyness was negatively associated with rapport perceptions/behaviours and, in the
case of attributed trustworthiness, moderated the effects of adults' gaze.
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