Which statement concerning nonverbal communication is true?

Which statement concerning nonverbal communication is true?

• A. It is consistent across cultures
• B. It is given more credence than verbal communication when the two are incongruent
• C. It should be minimized because it confuses the receiver regarding the true intent of the message
• D. It is a significant part of the communication exchange only when it is not congruent with the verbal exchange

Answer: (B)

Nonverbal communication indeed plays a crucial role in how messages are conveyed and interpreted. When nonverbal cues and verbal messages are incongruent—meaning that what is being said verbally differs from what is being expressed nonverbally—the nonverbal signals often carry more weight in communication. This is because people tend to trust nonverbal messages, such as facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice, more than the spoken word, especially if they seek to understand the emotional context or intent behind the message. For instance, if someone says they are happy while their body language suggests tension or distress, observers are more likely to rely on the nonverbal signals to interpret the person’s true feelings. This illustrates the powerful impact nonverbal communication has in shaping understanding and perception in interpersonal exchanges, making it a fundamental aspect of effective communication. While other options present concepts that might hold relevance in some contexts, they do not accurately reflect the predominant role nonverbal communication plays compared to verbals in cases of conflicting messages.

Nonverbal communication indeed plays a crucial role in how messages are conveyed and interpreted. When nonverbal cues and verbal messages are incongruent—meaning that what is being said verbally differs from what is being expressed nonverbally—the nonverbal signals often carry more weight in communication. This is because people tend to trust nonverbal messages, such as facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice, more than the spoken word, especially if they seek to understand the emotional context or intent behind the message.

For instance, if someone says they are happy while their body language suggests tension or distress, observers are more likely to rely on the nonverbal signals to interpret the person’s true feelings. This illustrates the powerful impact nonverbal communication has in shaping understanding and perception in interpersonal exchanges, making it a fundamental aspect of effective communication.

While other options present concepts that might hold relevance in some contexts, they do not accurately reflect the predominant role nonverbal communication plays compared to verbals in cases of conflicting messages.