Personality traits and nonverbal communication patterns

Abstract

The use of the personality trait five-factor model in communication research is very limited so far. In the present study the focus is on nonverbal correlations to personality traits. It was possible to identify nonverbal patterns in relation to personality traits. The extraversion dimension is associated with both a contact dimension (extraverts stand closer, engage in mutual gaze) and an expressiveness dimension (extraverts prefer face-to-face interaction, a varied tone of voice, varied gestures and facial expressions). The openness dimension is associated with low context (verbal, direct and explicit communication relying on context to a low degree). The agreeableness dimension is associated with high context (indirect, implicit and nonverbal communication style relying strongly on context).