Social signal processing: What are the relevant variables? And in what ways do they relate?

Studies of the processing of social signals and behaviour tend to focus intuitively on a few variables, without a framework to guide selection. Here, we attempt to provide a broad overview of the relevant variables, describing both signs and what they signify. Those are matched by systematic consideration of how the variables relate. Variables interact not only on an intrapersonal level but also on an interpersonal level. It is also recognised explicitly that a comprehensive framework needs to embrace the role of context and individual differences in personality and culture.