Reports on an experiment concerning the effects of time and communication channel (asynchronous computer conferencing versus face-to-face meetings) on the development of interpersonal impressions. Finds that computer-mediated groups gradually increase in impression development to a level approaching that of face-to-face groups. (NH)

Suggests that introductory acting and stagecraft classes provide prelaw students with an excellent opportunity to dissect, study, and practice their nonverbal communication skills while simultaneously engaging in the art of persuasion. (RS)

Examines ways to facilitate communication by nonverbal students with severe disabilities. Discusses selecting functional communication targets and teachable contexts, facilitating widespread use (generalization), ensuring maintenance of the new communication behavior, and implications for practice. (DB)

Manipulates three types of nonverbal behaviors and examines their effects on perceptions of power bases. Reports that a relaxed facial expression increased the ratings for five of the selected power bases; furthermore, direct eye contact yielded higher credibility ratings. Provides evidence that various nonverbal behaviors have only additive…

A study found the gestural activity of 15 adolescents with visual impairments differed from that of 15 adolescents with sight. Subjects with visual impairments used more adapters (especially finger-to-hand gestures) and fewer conversational gestures. Differences in gestural activity by degree of visual impairment and grade in school were also…

Addresses the relationship between intimacy and communication that is based on computer technology. Discusses definitions of intimacy and the nature of intimate conversations that use computers as a communications medium. Explores implications for counseling. (MKA)

Replicates and extends the authors' previous research on instructor attire on classroom dynamics. Indicates lesser effects of attire on person perceptions in live interaction as opposed to photographs. Reports that the influence of attire was limited to ratings of instructor extroversion, with no statistically significant interaction between…

This study compared verbal comprehension, verbal production, and gesture production in 40 children (ages 10-49 months) with Down Syndrome (DS) and 40 normally developing children (ages 8-17 months). DS children showed a dissociation between verbal comprehension and production but synchronous development between vocal lexical comprehension and…

This article explains a sequential model of eye gaze and eye contact behaviors researched among hearing populations and explores these behaviors in people with deafness. It is found that characterizations of eye contact and eye gaze behavior applied to hearing populations are not completely applicable to those with deafness. (Contains references.)…

Examined children's and adults' ability to decode emotions in dance forms of expressive body movements and detect intensity differences in anger and happiness. Found that decoding ability exceeded chance for sadness by 4-year olds; sadness, fear, and happiness by 5-year olds; and all emotions by 8-year olds and adults. Children as young as 5…

Observed infants' manual gestures while playing with mothers. Infants were more likely than mothers to request objects and less likely to respond to requests for objects. Vocalization accompanying requests increased with age. Infant gazing was most likely during offers that infants initiated without preceding maternal request. Unsolicited offers…

A Dutch study failed to find differences in the ability of 31 normally intelligent children (ages 6-12) with pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified and matched controls to recognize and label emotional states in various nonverbal expressive modalities, such as facial expressions, bodily postures, and gestures. (CR)

Investigated whether sustained forms of nonverbal coordinated action facilitates toddlers' generation of verbal discourse with one another. Twenty-four 2-year-olds interacted with an adult, in 2 nonverbal interactive contexts: an imitation game and parallel play. Found that involvement in nonverbal imitation games facilitated toddlers responding…

Discussed a social survey on communication among deaf people who had no formal schooling. Participants were deaf individuals who lived in the Okinawa Islands of Japan. Reveals many elderly deaf people had no formal education, no access to conventional sign languages during childhood, and no contact with a Deaf community. Despite this, most…

A study investigated whether 32 adolescents with reading disabilities (RD) were slower at processing visual information compared to children of comparable age and reading level, or whether their deficit was specific to the written word. Adolescents with RD demonstrated difficulties in processing rapidly presented verbal and nonverbal visual…