Harvard Researchers Recognized 5 Kinds of Questions. 1 Makes a Nice First Impression-

Harvard Researchers Identified 5 Types of Questions. 1 Makes a Great First Impression–and Builds Lasting Relationships

Fortunately, it’s easy to stop mirroring, switching, or partial-switching and start asking the right kinds of follow-up questions.

EXPERT OPINION BY JEFF HADEN @JEFF_HADEN

According to a Harvard University study published in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, asking someone you’ve just met at least three questions makes them see you as much more likable.

People who ask more questions, particularly follow-up questions, are better liked by their conversation partners.

When people ask more questions, they are perceived as higher in responsiveness, an interpersonal construct that captures listening, understanding, validation, and care.

Depending on the types of follow-up questions you ask.

Imagine you meet me and ask, “What do you do for a living?” and I answer, “I’m a writer.” According to the researchers, conversational follow-up questions fall into five basic categories.

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• Switch. I answer, “I’m a writer,” and you follow up with, “Do you work out?”
• Partial switch. You follow up with, “That’s interesting. Ever thought about being a YouTuber?”
• Mirror. “That’s interesting. I’m an accountant.” Informative, but leaves us nowhere to go.
• Rhetorical. “Think there are better things we could be doing than hanging out at this event?”
• Follow-up. You say, “That sounds hard. How did you get into that field?”

The partial switch can be useful

The partial switch can be useful. If asked, I could talk about how I have a face made for radio, about how I don’t like being in front of a camera, about how the goals of writing and YouTubing skillsets are similar (providing information that is hopefully useful and practical) the actual skillsets are very different.

The same is true for rhetorical questions, as long as they establish rapport. (And as long as I’m willing to be honest and say yes, the social event we’re attending is pretty dull.)

Still: people who ask follow-up questions — questions designed to elicit more information, or deeper perspectives, or the other person’s thoughts or feelings — are perceived as significantly more likable, caring, and friendly than people who ask partial switch or rhetorical questions.

Source: www.inc.com