Verbal and Nonverbal Communication (8C) - MCAT Psychological and Social Foundations

Overattributing behavior to traits and underattributing to situation. We blame personality over circumstances for others' actions.

Attending and reflecting to confirm understanding (paraphrase, clarify). Shows engagement through feedback and verification techniques.

Denotation is literal meaning; connotation is implied/emotional meaning. Dictionary definition vs. cultural/emotional associations.

Communication about how to interpret messages (often nonverbal). Context cues that frame how to interpret the main message.

Self-fulfilling prophecy. Expectations influence behavior, creating their own reality.

Nonverbal cues are typically weighted more heavily than words. People trust body language over words when they contradict.

Regulator that signals attention and encourages the speaker to continue. Minimal responses that maintain conversation flow.

Use of interpersonal distance and space to convey meaning. Physical distance communicates intimacy, dominance, or cultural norms.

Body movements (posture, gestures, facial expressions) as signals. Body language conveys emotions and attitudes nonverbally.

Often unconscious self-touching/movements linked to arousal or stress. These behaviors reveal anxiety or discomfort unconsciously.

Communication accommodation (convergence). Speakers adapt style to build rapport or show solidarity.

Cues that manage conversational flow (nodding, turn-taking signals). These behaviors coordinate smooth conversational exchanges.

Vocal cues beyond words (tone, pitch, volume, rate, pauses). How something is said often matters more than what is said.

Communication through touch (type, duration, intensity). Touch conveys emotions, relationships, and cultural meanings.

Use and interpretation of time (punctuality, pacing, waiting). Time usage reflects cultural values and relationship dynamics.

Emblem has a specific verbal translation; gesture may not. Emblems like thumbs-up have direct word equivalents.

Chronemics (response latency as a time cue). Extended pauses communicate hesitation or discomfort.

Nodding. Regulators control conversational flow and turn-taking.

Genuine smile with eye crinkling; typically signals true enjoyment. Involves both mouth corners raised and orbicularis oculi contraction.

Communication through touch. Physical contact conveys emotions and relationships.

Use and interpretation of interpersonal space. Distance between people conveys relationship and comfort levels.

Body movement cues (gestures, posture, facial expressions). Studies how body movements communicate meaning.

Vocal features other than words (tone, pitch, volume, rate). These vocal qualities modify meaning beyond word choice.

Communication conveyed without words (e.g., cues, behaviors, signals). Encompasses all non-linguistic channels of human interaction.

Communication conveyed through spoken or written words. Includes all linguistic elements that convey meaning through language.

Mixed messages (incongruent verbal and nonverbal cues). Verbal content contradicts nonverbal signals.

Overattributing others’ behavior to traits and underweighting situation. We tend to ignore situational factors when judging others.

Culture-specific norms for when and how emotions are expressed. These learned rules vary by culture and context.

Basic emotions have facial expressions recognized across cultures. Ekman identified six universal facial expressions.