The Nature of Rapport and Its Nonverbal Correlates

TLDR

Rapport is a gestalt experience, making it difficult to pinpoint nonverbal correlates of its components. The article proposes a dynamic conceptualization of rapport, showing that component weighting shifts over relationships, and presents a meta‑analysis linking molecular‑level nonverbal behavior to the positivity component. Rapport is modeled as a dynamic triad of mutual attentiveness, positivity, and coordination, and the study recommends molecular and molar nonverbal measurement approaches tailored to relationship stages. Early rapport emphasizes positivity and attentiveness, shifting later to coordination and attentiveness, and a meta‑analysis shows molecular‑level nonverbal behavior boosts the positivity component.

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to offer a conceptualization of rapport that has utility for identifying the nonverbal correlates associated with rapport. We describe the nature of rapport in terms of a dynamic structure of three interrelating components: mutual attentiveness,positivity, and coordination. We propose that the relative weighting of these components in the experience of rapport changes over the course of a developing relationship between individuals. In early interactions, positivity and attentiveness are more heavily weighted than coordination, whereas in later interactions, coordination and attentiveness are the more heavily weighted components. Because of the gestalt nature of the experience of rapport, it is not easy to identify nonverbal behavioral correlates of the components. We discuss two approaches to nonverbal measurement, molecular and molar, along with recommendations for their appropriate application in the study of rapport at different stages of an interpersonal relationship. We present a meta-analytic study that demonstrates the effect of nonverbal behavior, measured at the molecular level, on the positivity component of rapport, and we conclude with an outline of hypotheses relevant to the investigation of the nonverbal correlates of rapport.