Although research in nonverbal communication is in its seventh decade, the origins of individual differences in nonverbl sensitivity remain. To investigate the relationship between family norms of emotional expression and nonverbal communication, 64 college students completed the Family Expressiveness Questionnaire, were videotaped while conversing about emotional topics, and were asked to judge tapes of confederates in similar situations. Results suggested that individuals whose families valued emotional display had greater expressiveness, while individuals whose familes inhibited emotional display had greater perceptiveness relative to individuals whose families valued emotional display. The findings suggest that because a relationship between family norms of emotional expression and nonverbal communication has been identified, future research should focus on how these nonverbal communication differences due to socialization develop. (Author/JAC)