Imagine receiving a firm handshake from a stranger. Does this reflect anything about the person's personality? Could you predict the person's personality characteristics from the firm handshake? For example, would a person with a firm handshake be more likely to be extraverted (e.g., sociable) and open to experience (e.g., imaginative)?
Chaplin, Phillips, Brown, Clanton, and Stein (2000) investigated relations between a firm handshake and certain personality characteristics. The firm handshake measure consisted of five dimensions. These included eye contact, completeness of the grip, vigor, duration, and strength. They found statistically significant positive correlations between a firm handshake and extraversion, and a firm handshake and openness to experience. Moreover, they found statistically significant negative correlations between a firm handshake and shyness, and a firm handshake and neuroticism. In other words, people with a firm handshake were more likey to be extraverted and open to experience, and less likely to be shy and neurotic. However, a firm handshake was positively associated with openness to experience for females, but not males.
They also conducted analyses controlling for gender. When statistically controlling for the participant's gender, they found that a firm hand shake was positively correlated with extraversion and emotional expression. Moreover, when statistically controlling for the participant's gender, they found that a firm handshake was negatively correlated with shyness. (1)
These findings may have important practical implications. You may be able to predict a person's personality from his or her handshake.
Notes
1. See their article for information about other findings.
References
Chaplin, W. F., Phillips, J. B., Brown, J. D., Clanton, N. R., & Stein, J. L. (2000).
Handshaking, gender, personality, and first impressions. Journal of Personality and
Social Psychology, 79, 110-117.