ABSTRACT
The study of verbal and nonverbal communication has assumed a prominent role in psychology during the past 20 years Nonverbal behavior discloses critical information about emotions and relationships. Students will respond with genuine surprise and without a measured consideration of their nonverbal behavior. The students enjoyed their research experience, which provided opportunities for problem solving, critical thinking, cooperation, and collaborative learning. Such opportunities rarely occur in a large introductory psychology class. The lie detection demonstration uses an inexpensive galvanic skin response (GSR) monitor. This technique can be carried out quickly and used in connection with many different topics, including physiological psychology, emotion, perception, and industrial/organizational psychology. Classroom demonstration involves a number-selection procedure analogous to the Guilty Knowledge Technique used by professional polygraphers. Facial expressions, gestures, and other nonverbal behaviors usually occur along with words and act to change the perceived meaning of words. In many cases, however, nonverbal acts have independent meaning.
