An Interdisciplinary Investigation Into the Behaviors That Build (and Express) Interpersonal Trust

Authors

  • R. Matthew Montoya Orcid
    Department of Psychology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, USA
  • Brandon Porter Orcid
    Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA

Abstract

The expression of specific nonverbal behaviors has been proposed to play an important role in the development of interpersonal trust. In this review, we examined the andragogical descriptions presented by 8 different disciplines for which behaviors are used to build trust. Despite drawing from largely separate source material, cross-discipline analyses revealed consistency regarding the recommended behaviors that should be used to communicate trust, including eye contact, smiling, mimicry, and maintaining physical proximity. A comparison of these behaviors with those seen in the attraction literature and parenting context further suggests that the function of such behaviors is not confined to the professional context. A model in which affiliative behaviors are used in the expression of trust and interpersonal attraction is discussed.