ABSTRACT
Nonverbal communication can be defined as all messages other than words that people exchange (DeVito & Hecht, 1990). Nonverbal messages are used to send three primary meanings: immediacy, power, and responsiveness (Mehrabian, 1971). We communicate about 60% of our meaning nonverbally. Many researchers maintain that another person’s actual words contribute only 7% to the impression of being liked or disliked, while voice cues contribute 38% and facial cues contribute 55%. Nonverbal messages are usually more believable than verbal messages. When verbal and nonverbal messages contradict, most adults in the United States believe the nonverbal message. Millions of dollars are spent annually to create impressions or special images. Individuals strive to hide negative feelings and disguise bad moods while spending millions of dollars on medication and cosmetic surgery.
