Action Assembly Theory

Action Assembly Theory is a group of theories that seek to explain verbal and nonverbal message behavior by describing the system of cognitive structures and processes that gives rise to those behaviors. Central to these theories is the idea that a person's behavior at any moment is an amalgam of a great many elemental features that are selectively retrieved from memory and integrated, or assembled, to form thoughts and overt action. Specific details of three action assembly theories are discussed, and research based on the various theories is reviewed. Keywords: cognitive processes; communication skills; communication theory; creativity; information processing and cognitions