How can nonverbal signals show whose turn it is to speak?

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A woman telephone operator wearing a headset sits at a manual switchboard, connecting calls by plugging cords into rows of jacks, circa 1900. — communication Operator at a telephone switchboard, c. 1900.

In the context of social interaction, conversation is composed of closely linked sequences of verbal utterances and nonverbal signals. While specific mechanisms for turn-taking are often studied as part of these interaction processes, research highlights that nonverbal cues—such as gaze, gestures, and variations in tone of voice—serve critical functions in managing the flow of dialogue.1

These signals act as essential feedback, allowing participants to navigate the "rules" of conversation, which some models compare to the grammar of a language or the strategic moves in a game. By observing a speaker's gaze or shifts in their vocal delivery, listeners can identify when a turn is concluding or when they are invited to contribute, ensuring the interaction remains goal-directed and coordinated.1

Would you like to explore how specific nonverbal cues, such as eye contact, influence other aspects of social behavior like friendship formation or psychotherapy?