Dyadic effects in nonverbal communication : A variance partitioning analysis

Using Kenny's (1994) Social Relations Model, a block-round robin design provided the first reported evidence for dyadic effects in nonverbal communication. That is, some dyads were systematically more or less accurate than the individual-level skill of perceivers & expressors would predict. This dyadic effect appears to be similar in magnitude to individual differences in emotional perception, a topic garnering extensive research attention over several decades. Results generally replicated for judgements across genders & across two cultural groups. These preliminary findings have implications for research on emotional intelligence & other models of affective skill, raising the possibility that accuracy in nonverbal communication combines individual differences with factors beyond the individual level. Tables, References. Adapted from the source document.