The Effects of Students' Nonverbal Behavior on Teachers

Abstract

Although researchers have studied and reviewed the nonverbal behavior of teachers, the nonverbal behavior of students in classrooms has received less attention. This review presents evidence that student nonverbal behavioral expression is an important source in the formation of teachers' impressions, attitudes, beliefs, and reciprocal behavioral expressions. Evidence comes from studies that emphasize or serendipitously report the effects of student nonverbal expressions. The results of these studies are considered within the research on impression formation, communication theory, and classroom activity and participation structures. This review is organized within the general categories of location/proximity, student attentiveness, disruptive behaviors, and student interactive timing skills. Suggestions for further research center on when to observe, who to observe, and what to observe. The authors emphasize the importance of designing studies that recognize both the value and complexity of researching student nonverbal behavioral expression.