What is mirroring and matching?
William Jenkins
Updated on January 01, 2026
Mirroring technique means that you become a mirror of the person. While mirroring is a precise reflection, matching is a more general image of the other person. When matching words of another person, the exact words of the other person will not be used. Instead, you will try to use similar words to convey the meaning.
What is mirroring in communication?
Mirroring is a simple form of reflecting and involves repeating almost exactly what the speaker says. Mirroring should be short and simple. It is usually enough to just repeat key words or the last few words spoken.
What is mirroring in interpersonal communication?
Mirroring is behavior that copies someone else during communication with them – in displaying similar postures, gestures, or tone of voice.
Does matching and mirroring work?
Behavioral research show that mirroring and matching—copying other people’s body language, mannerisms, and repeating their words— helps build trust and establishes rapport. The more someone believes you are like them, the easier it is to develop trust and rapport at the unconscious level.
Does mirroring mean attraction?
Mirroring is when someone copies the movements of the person they are engaged with. It usually happens subconsciously. This is a sure sign of attraction, and indicates that the person is completely engaged in the interaction.
What is the purpose of mirroring?
Mirroring helps to facilitate empathy, as individuals more readily experience other people’s emotions through mimicking posture and gestures. Mirroring also allows individuals to subjectively feel the pain of others when viewing injuries.
What is an example of mirroring?
For example, if the client is sitting in a chair, crossing their legs, try to copy them and do the same.
When would you use cross over mirroring?
Cross-over matching is useful if you wish to establish rapport with someone who is in a very unresourceful state (depression) and you do not wish to take on that state – remember from the NLP Communication Model, your physiology influences your thoughts and hence your state. Mismatching is a useful skill to master.
Is mirroring body language flirting?
When people are attracted to each other, they tend to sit or stand in the same way and copy each other’s physical gestures. This is known as ‘mirroring’. When someone does this, it marks good communication and shows us that our interest is reciprocated.
What is narcissistic mirroring?
Mirroring the likes, dislikes, dreams, passions, etc., of the target intensifies the “bond” further. But beware, this is the initial trap laid by the narcissist. Someone who seems way too good to be true may be just that, if some of the following are also present.
Why is mirroring used?
Mirroring helps to facilitate empathy, as individuals more readily experience other people’s emotions through mimicking posture and gestures. Mirroring also allows individuals to subjectively feel the pain of others when viewing injuries. As such, mirroring values is also important.
What is the point of mirroring?
Mirroring as a sign of trust In these case’s imitating someone is a sign of comfort and trust and it shows that people are in sync. The whole point of mirroring is that it’s a way to better understand others and connect with them. Being able to mirror someone is the same as being able to listen to someone.
What is cross over mirroring and when is it useful?
What is crossover matching?
Crossover Matching in NLP is choosing to match one of your behaviours to a corresponding, but different movement of another person. Eg Tapping your finger to match a breathing pattern. It is a great way to get in rapport with someone.
What are the signs of unspoken attraction?
Keep reading for an in-depth overview of some signs of unspoken attraction between people.
- You Feel the Chemistry.
- You Tease Each Other.
- You Mirror Each Other’s Movements.
- You Maintain Close Physical Proximity.
- They Try to Impress You.
- You Spend Lots Of Time Together.
- You’re Constantly Talking.
How can you tell if attraction is mutual?
As mentioned in the article above, signs of mutual attraction include frequent communication, physical touch, prolonged eye contact, mirroring, blushing, and flirtatious behavior. If the attraction is mutual between you and another person, you’ll likely want to talk to each other rather frequently.
What does it mean if someone mimics your gestures?
Mirroring is the behavior in which one person unconsciously imitates the gesture, speech pattern, or attitude of another. The ability to mimic another person’s actions allows the infant to establish a sense of empathy and thus begin to understand another person’s emotions.
What is mirroring a sign of?