A review of nonverbal behaviors of women and men

Abstract

A review of the literature on gender‐linked aspects of nonverbal behavior reveals that the differences in nonverbal behavior are in line with societal expectations calling for women to be reactive and for men to be proactive. Women demonstrate their reactivity by being more sensitive to others’ expressivity, and more nonverbally variable in order to complement their partner's behavior. Men demonstrate their proactivity by talking more, interrupting more, and in general being nonverbally dominant, particularly with women.