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The study reported here represents the culmination of the development and application of a research strategy whereby hypotheses generated in the clinical circumstance are transposed to a behavioral realm where more rigorous, reproducible, reliable, and valid experimentation is feasible (Guiora 1970). Our concern has chiefly been to apply this strategy to the concept of empathy, choosing as the transposed realm of behavior, language, in particular, authenticity of pronunciation of a second language. In a series of studies we investigated the hypothesis that empathy plays a significant role in the ability to authentically pronounce a second language. The measure which proved to be most successful in predicting authenticity of pronunciation was the Micro‐Momentary Expression (MME) test as modified by us. The present study confirms the original hypothesis that empathy as measured by the MME is positively related to the ability to authentically pronounce a second language. Essentially the MME measure coupled with the Verbal Mental Reasoning test of intelligence and a simple but apparently effective measure of motivation provide, we believe, a major contribution to the prediction of pronunciation ability. Adding the Army Language Aptitude Test as a linguistic measure, the combined instruments constitute a powerful predictive battery.

Sixty-five undergraduates were assigned to guide a blindfolded confederate through a floor maze. The frequency of touching the confederate's skin and the length of time required to complete the trip through the maze were recorded. Each subject was also given a self-administered Rorschach test; an independent count was made of the number of oral responses given. Orality was positively related to touching behavior (r=.39, p=.001) and with speed of guiding the confederate through the maze (r=.31, p=.01).

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