The Evolution of Theories of Interactive Behavior

S peculation about the role and impact of nonverbal behavior in the human condition has been present for centuries in philosophy, science, and literature (see Knapp, this volume). Nevertheless, the development of systematic and focused empirical research on nonverbal behavior is a relatively recent phenomenon, growing rapidly from the late 1950s through the present day. Although the vast majority of this work consists of empirical research, theoretical scholarship has also been important, not only in developing a broader understanding of nonverbal communication but also in shaping subsequent empirical work. This chapter focuses on some of this theoretical development. In particular, I discuss theories of interactional nonverbal behavior (i.e., patterned cues in face-to-face contexts). Although nonverbal communication operates in a wide variety of contexts, it is especially important in face-to-face interactions. In such interactions, patterns of behavior are “negotiated” subtly and move typically toward some degree of stability. Partners’ behavior patterns might converge and be similar in form, or they might diverge and be dissimilar. Simultaneously, interactants make a wide variety of judgments about their partners and the interaction. So, how do we explain the complex 2