A PARALLEL PROCESS MODEL OF NONVERBAL-COMMUNICATION

This article develops a parallel processing model of nonverbal communi cation that emphasizes the interdependence of behavioral and person pe rception processes from a functional perspective on social interaction . The form and outcome of the behavioral (encoding) and person percept ion (decoding) processes are a product of three related elements, incl uding: (1) determinants, (2) the social environment, and (3) cognitive -affective mediators. In this model, the determinants (biology, cultur e, gender, and personality), in combination with the partner and setti ng, influence interpersonal expectancies, dispositions, goals, affect, and cognitive resources. In turn, these mediators constrain the atten tion and cognitive effort applied to behavior management and person pe rception. In general, fewer cognitive resources and decreased effort w ill have less effect on the outcome of automatic behavioral (e.g., scr ipts) and person perception (e.g., impressions based on appearance and nonverbal cues) processes than on more demanding ones. The utility of this theory in integrating behavioral and person perception processes into a single system is discussed.