Mirroring is a form of nonverbal communication in which a person mimics the body language, gestures, posture, tone, and other behaviors of another person (Kelley & Gill, 2018). This behavior is often unconscious and can be used to indicate agreement, understanding, and comfort with the other person. It is seen as a sign of rapport and is thought to contribute to the establishment of a positive relationship between two people (Kelley & Gill, 2018).
Mirroring is a common occurrence in everyday life and is often used in social and therapeutic settings. For example, in psychotherapy, it is often used as a technique to create a sense of safety and trust between the therapist and the client (Vercruyssen, 2020). It can also be used to encourage conversation and increase engagement between two people. Additionally, mirroring can help to build empathy between two people by enhancing understanding and allowing them to connect on an emotional level (Vercruyssen, 2020).
Mirroring can also be used as a form of manipulation. People may use mirroring to manipulate others by creating a false sense of agreement or understanding. A person may also use mirroring as a form of flattery by copying the behavior of another person in order to gain favor (Kelley & Gill, 2018).
In conclusion, mirroring is a form of nonverbal communication that can be used to indicate understanding, agreement, and comfort between two people. It can also be used to create a sense of safety and trust in therapeutic settings. Additionally, it can be used as a form of manipulation or flattery.
References
Kelley, J., & Gill, M. (2018). Mirroring body language: A nonverbal communication technique. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 46(3), 217-232.
Vercruyssen, M. (2020). The power of mirroring in communication. Medium. https://medium.com/@mvercruyssen/the-power-of-mirroring-in-communication-feb8a1b9aa2a