This research was conducted to empirically test the characteristics of hand movements which can be verbally described in relation to mood state, particularly depressive mood (Suzuki & Haruki, 1995; Suzuki & Haruki, 1996). First, a scale to measure the characteristics of these movements was developed. The rating of the movements of the subjects shown on a VCR with the use of the newly-developed scale suggests that the movements of participants in a low-depressive mood state were well-balanced, focused, graceful, and not rough of wobbly. Further, results suggest that the movements were also precise, well-regulated, stable, intentional, and steady for an extended period of time.
As a result of this research, an unrelated discovery became evident. Hand movements can be more accurately rated if raters models the actions of the participants shown on the VCR instead of simply observing the movements.
A final significant finding is the discovery of a new approach to understanding the relation between body and mind.

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In Experiment 1, 54 preschoolers (mean age: 5 years 1 month) and 40 slightly older ones (mean age 5 years 11 months) were read a story in which an agent's actions were immoral, and the recipient of the action expressed disgust by gesture. Participants were then asked to explain how they would act if they were the agent. Prosocial answers were most frequently reported regardless of age, while antisocial coping behaviors were more frequently reported by younger rather than older children. In Experiment 2, 23 preschoolers (mean 5 years 3 months), and 22 slightly older ones (mean age 6 years) were read stories in which a recipient's disgust was expressed by the action of an agent. There were two kinds of stories: In one story, the agent elicited disgust from the recipient intentionally; in the other, disgust was elicited by accident. In both stories, the recipient's disgust was expressed verbally. Almost all answers for both situations were prosocial. Furthermore, there were no significant difference in responses between the younger and older participants. These findings suggest that children possess appropriate knowledge of an agent's strategy in coping with recipient's disgust.

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