Review of Psychology

Brunswik Lens Model

The Brunswik (1956) lens model is a common theoretical and methodological framework used to study NVC, particularly in relation to studying interpersonal judgments (Nestler & Back 2013). As illustrated in Figure 2, the Brunswik lens model includes three components: (a) a measured construct in a sender (such as a personality trait), (b) the sender’s NVB, and (c) the perceiver’s impression of the sender on the construct. Cue validity, the pathway between the first and second components, indicates whether a specific NVB (e.g., fidgeting) is a valid cue to the sender’s

Interpersonal perception and interpersonal accuracy in a modified Brunswik (1956) lens model. (a) Sender state or trait refers to a measured construct in a target, such as a mood state or personality trait. (b) Sender nonverbal behavior is the sender’s expressed nonverbal behavior. (c) Perceiver’s judgment refers to a perceiver’s impression of the sender’s state or trait. Cue validity is the correspondence between the sender’s nonverbal behavior and the sender’s state or trait. Cue utilization is the correspondence between the sender’s nonverbal behavior and a perceiver’s impression of the sender. Interpersonal accuracy is the correspondence between the sender’s state or trait and the perceiver’s judgment of the sender (i.e., whether the perceiver’s judgment was an accurate impression of the sender’s measured state or trait).
measured construct (criterion). Cue utilization, the pathway between the second and third components, reflects how the perceiver’s impression may be shaped by specific NVB expressed by the sender. Finally, interpersonal accuracy (IPA), the pathway between the first and third components, indicates whether the perceiver’s impression of the sender is accurate at a statistically significant level and how strong the effect is [Brunswik (1956) used the term achievement for this pathway]. Thelensmodelcan alsobe usedtoexamine otherpathways betweencriterion,cues,andoutcomes, such as that between extraversion and likeability (Back et al. 2011).
The Brunswik lens model framework has been used to investigate NVC and person perception for many personality and social characteristics (e.g., Borkenau et al. 2004, Naumann et al. 2009). For example, Reynolds & Gifford (2001) investigated NVC and judgments of intelligence using a lens model framework. Senders were videotaped reading a script; perceivers then judged senders’ intelligence levels from video clips, and external raters coded senders’ NVB. Measured intelligence was correlated with speaking more words and speaking faster, illustrating cue validity. Perceived intelligence correlated with less halting speech and more words spoken, illustrating cue utilization. Finally, IPA was achieved between senders’ perceived and measured intelligence (r = 0.38).Anotherlensmodelstudydemonstratedaccuracy injudgingself-esteem(Hirschmuller¨ et al. 2018). In that study, nonverbal expressiveness and vocal warmth were associated with both measured self-esteem (cue validity) and judged self-esteem (cue utilizations).