The effects of nonverbal communication and gender on impression formation in opening statements

Abstract

This article examines the influence of nonverbal cues and attorney gender on juror impression formation. Two major conclusions are drawn from this study: (1) Attorney gender may not influence the impression formation process in the courtroom, and (2) Delivery styles produce expectations for the appropriateness of disfluencies in speech. The broader implications for impression formation in the legal process are outlined. It is argued an interactionist perspective provides a useful heuristic framework to address the complexity of impression formation in legal settings.