ABSTRACT
When people disagree, the nonverbal cues they use (such as Tina’s vocal tones and David’s withdrawing behavior) play a critical role in determining In fact, Canary,
Cupach, and Messman (1995) argued that “subtle forms of nonverbal messages convey mountains of meaning during conflict” (p. 140), and Galvin and Brommel (1986) noted that “If you closely monitor any developing conflict, usually nonverbal cues of conflict appear before verbal ones” (p. 170). Nonverbal cues are also important when people end relationships, especially given research and theory focusing on withdrawal and lack of involvement as signs of relational decline (e.g., Knapp & Vangelisti, 1996). In this chapter, we examine nonverbal behavior associated with conflict and disengagement. The first and much longer section of the chapter focuses on conflict strategies and tactics as well as more general patterns of communication that distinguish happy couples from distressed couples. At the end of the chapter we focus briefly on nonverbal cues that are likely to occur as people move through relational stages heading toward disengagement.
