Waving a Light Stick Forward Increases the Strength Rating of Animated Characters

At sports games, idol performances, and movie screenings, some audiences move their bodies by waving their arms toward athletes, idols, or movie characters. What does this physical movement do to the audience? In this study, we investigated whether body movements affect the audience’s impression of an animated character. Participants watched animated clips of boxing matches, and waved a light stick when one character was attacking, but not when the other character was attacking. There were two ways of waving it: either forward or backward. Before and after watching the animated clips, participants rated the characters on strength, likability and attractiveness. The results showed that the increase in strength ratings was higher when participants waved forward than waved backward or no waving. These results suggest that physical movements that involve physical proximity to a specific object or character, such as forward waving, positively influence participants’ impressions of characters, athletes, and idols.