4.4 Explain Mehrabian’s three-part framework for interpreting nonverbal cues.

It takes time and effort to develop our skills in detecting and accurately interpreting others’ nonverbal communication.

Albert Mehrabian suggested that nonverbal cues can communicate immediacy, or liking; arousal, or excitement and interest; and dominance, or status, position, and importance.

• Realize the importance of physical appearance and attractiveness in American culture.
• Use culturally appropriate body movement, including posture and gestures, to convey messages.
• Work on making appropriate eye contact with others, given that eye contact is the key nonverbal behavior North Americans link with credibility and trustworthiness.
• Become more aware of your and others’ facial expressions, because this nonverbal channel is a primary one for conveying emotions.
• Use touch appropriately, given the cultural context within which you communicate.
• Become more aware of the potential you have for vocal expression and how others use their vocal capacities to communicate emotions and ideas.
• Become more aware of your rules regarding space and territoriality so that you may better understand and enact appropriate, effective proxemic nonverbal behaviors when interacting with others.
• Recognize that body movement, eye contact, facial expressions, touch, vocal behaviors, and use of space and territory communicate liking, interest, and dominance.