Some Effects of Seating Position on Social Perception

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Abstract
Summer's (1967) hypothesis that status and/or dominance may be ascribed to an individual automatically as a function of the location he occupies was supported. Ss made semantic-differential scale ratings of target individuals photographed while seated at a rectangular table. As predicted, occupancy of the head position (as opposed to side locations) was associated with higher ratings on all six of the following scales: (1) Talkativeness, (2) Persuasiveness, (3) Dominance, (4) Leadership, (5) Self-confidence, and (6) Intelligence. The occupant of the head position was also chosen significantly more often as the one who “probably contributed the most” to the group's task performance. The results are interpreted to indicate a general “halo effect” reflecting cultural standards and traditions regarding the organization of social space.

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