ABSTRACT
Health and illness are complex, socially influenced concepts and understandings that rely heavily on communication. Nonverbal communication—the use of dynamic but non-language messages such as facial expressions, gestures, gaze, touch, and vocal cues—is especially important when emotions, identities, and status roles are significant, as well as in situations where verbal communications are untrustworthy, ambiguous, or otherwise difficult to interpret (DePaulo & Friedman, 1998). The importance of nonverbal cues is thus central in the health arena. Health care providers need accurate information from their patients regarding the type and duration of their symptoms; the frequency and validity of health-relevant behaviors; reactions to illness and treatment; and the probabilities associated with future behaviors. Patients, however, may be unable to report this information, and they may be motivated to conceal or misinterpret certain symptoms or behaviors, and to overestimate the likelihood of adherence to their medical regimens.
