100 Things You Might Not Know about Nonverbal Communication

1. Nonverbal communication forms up to 93% of all communication we engage in.
2. Nonverbal communication was not a term for our ancestors. By observing the structure of the body, nose, eyes, lips, fingers and legs, the Indian scholars precisely and accurately predicted an individual's characteristics and behavioural patterns. One of the instances of this science is Samudrik Shastra. In the Western world, the study of nonverbal communication started in 1872 with Charles Darwin's book "The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals". 
3. Nonverbal cues are more reliable than verbal cues when detecting deception.
4. Humans have a universal understanding of facial expressions across cultures.
5. However, the interpretation of certain gestures varies greatly across cultures.
6. Studies suggest that people with high Emotional Intelligence (EQ) are better at reading nonverbal cues.
7. A strong handshake can create a more favourable impression during interpersonal interactions.
8. The use of space, or proxemics, communicates relationships, power dynamics, and levels of intimacy.
9. Smiling releases endorphins and serotonin, making us feel better and appear more approachable.
10. The direction of a person's gaze can often reveal where their attention lies.
11. Different vocal qualities, like pitch, speed, volume, and tone, can dramatically change the message.
12. The colour of clothing can communicate different meanings in different cultures.
13. Posture can reveal a person's confidence level, mood, health, and perceived status.
14. Gestures, such as waving, pointing, and using our hands when talking, can help clarify and emphasize what we are saying.
15. The context of the situation greatly affects the interpretation of nonverbal communication.
16. People often use objects like glasses or pens as fidget items to alleviate stress or anxiety.
17. Mirroring someone's body language can create rapport and foster connection.
18. Infants rely heavily on nonverbal cues to understand their environment and respond to others.
19. Avoiding eye contact can signal deception, but it can also signal shyness or nervousness.
20. Silence and pauses can serve as powerful tools to emphasize a point.
21. There are seven universal microexpressions: disgust, anger, fear, sadness, happiness, surprise, and contempt.
22. Haptics, or the use of touch, can communicate comfort, aid in persuasion, or establish dominance.
23. Prolonged eye contact can signal interest, attraction, or even aggression.
24. Nonverbal cues can complement, contradict, substitute, or emphasize verbal messages.
25. Excessive blinking can signal stress, discomfort, or deception.
26. Pupil dilation can indicate interest, arousal, or surprise.
27. The way we walk, or our gait, can reveal information about our personality, age, and current mood.
28. Nonverbal cues aren't always conscious; they can also occur involuntarily.
29. "Leakage" refers to when a person's true feelings or thoughts are revealed through inadvertent nonverbal behaviours.
30. Nonverbal cues, such as warmth and openness, can increase likability.
31. Body language can convey power and status. This is often seen in politics and business.
32. Self-touch gestures, like face touching or hair twirling, can reveal discomfort or anxiety.
33. Nonverbal communication is crucial in health care, as it aids in empathy and understanding.
34. The position in which we sleep can reveal our personalities and current mental state.
35. In nonverbal communication, the study of time, or chronemics, can reveal information about personality and behaviours.
36. When we're nervous or lying, our bodies are more likely to experience a "fight or flight" response, which includes increased heart rate and perspiration.
37. People can improve their ability to interpret nonverbal cues through conscious observation accurately and
38. Breathing patterns can convey much about a person's state of mind; rapid breathing often signifies anxiety or stress.
39. A higher pitch in a person's voice is often associated with high emotional intensity, such as fear or excitement.
40. How a person arranges their environment (like their room or desk) can provide insight into their personality and habits.
41. Nonverbal communication can be manipulated and controlled to some extent, such as when giving a presentation or during a job interview.
42. When a person is attracted to someone else, they tend to mirror their nonverbal cues.
43. People tend to position themselves closer to people they like and distance themselves from those they don't.
44. Nonverbal cues play a crucial role in first impressions.
45. Different cultures have norms regarding the acceptable distance between individuals (personal space).
46. "Power posing," or assuming positions of confidence, even when we don't feel confident, can boost feelings of confidence and alter our biochemistry.
47. The physical environment, such as lighting and temperature, can impact nonverbal communication and interaction.
48. Our sensory perceptions (sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste) also play a significant role in nonverbal communication.
49. Nonverbal signals can interact with verbal communication to form a complex web of interaction, adding depth and richness to the communication process.
50. A lack of facial expression is often perceived as untrustworthy or an indication of hiding emotions.
51. How a person nods can indicate whether they agree, understand or show that they are listening.
52. Using thumbs-up or thumbs-down gestures can convey approval or disapproval, respectively.
53. In various cultures, the "OK" hand gesture (forming a circle with the thumb and index finger) can have different meanings, even offensive.
54. Frequent touching of the face during a conversation can indicate nervousness, discomfort, or deception.
55. Objects can also act as a form of nonverbal communication; for example, a uniform or a wedding ring sends specific signals about identity or status.
56. Facial symmetry is often perceived as more attractive, influencing interpersonal communication.
57. Paralanguage, or how we say what we say (tone, pitch, loudness, tempo, and voice quality), can greatly alter the meaning of our words.
58. An individual’s perception of colours can also serve as nonverbal communication; for example, red is often associated with passion and intensity, while blue suggests calmness and stability.
59. People who use more hand gestures tend to be viewed as warm, agreeable, and energetic.
60. Nonverbal cues are processed in the brain's right hemisphere for emotional experiences and expression.
61. Researchers believe certain body postures can affect our hormones, specifically cortisol and testosterone levels, influencing our feelings.
62. Slow, deliberate movements are often perceived as a sign of confidence and control.
63. Excessive head nodding can sometimes be perceived as a sign of insecurity or eagerness to please.
64. Children learn nonverbal cues and how to interpret them very young.
65. Our nonverbal communication often betrays our true thoughts and feelings, revealing what our words don't express.
66. Nonverbal communication involves the body and face and the space and environment in which communication occurs.
67. People often use nonverbal cues to flirt, showing interest and gauging the other person's interest in return.
68. A pat on the back is a universal gesture for "well done" or to show comfort.
69. Laughter can serve as a tool for bonding; it's a nonverbal sign of a shared sense of humour.
70. Certain nonverbal cues can trigger psychological and physiological responses in others; for example, a smile can cause the brain to release dopamine, making us feel happier.
71. Research has found that maintaining good eye contact is the most good nonverbal behaviour in both social and professional settings.
72. Nonverbal communication is often more subtle and indirect than verbal communication, but it can convey messages as powerfully.
73. Proxemics, the study of space and distance in communication, suggests that physical distance can communicate power dynamics, territoriality, and personal boundaries.
74. Social norms influence our nonverbal behaviour. For instance, cultural norms dictate behaviour regarding eye contact, personal space, and physical touch.
75. Yawning, despite often being associated with boredom or tiredness, is more contagious in a group setting and can be a sign of empathy.
76. A person's posture can reflect their emotional state, with slumped shoulders often indicating sadness or depression and an upright posture indicating happiness or confidence.
77. Touch can significantly impact our mental and physical well-being, reducing stress, increasing feelings of security, and promoting bonding.
78. People with autism often have difficulty understanding and interpreting nonverbal cues, which can complicate social interactions.
79. Nonverbal cues such as facial expressions and body language are crucial in performing arts, where they can convey a character's feelings and intentions.
80. Like verbal language, nonverbal communication evolves, influenced by cultural shifts and technological advancements.
81. The nonverbal signals we emit often combine learned behaviour and innate responses.
82. Raised eyebrows can express surprise, scepticism, or curiosity, but in some cultures, they can also be a sign of acknowledgement or greeting.
83. Winking can have different meanings, from flirting to signalling that something is a joke or secret.
84. According to some studies, people who have had blind since birth also use similar facial expressions, suggesting that some nonverbal communication cues are universally innate.
85. Despite technological advances in communication, nonverbal cues still play a vital role in online communication through emojis, gifs, and video calls.
86. The Pygmalion effect suggests that higher expectations increase performance; a teacher's nonverbal cues can affect a student's performance by revealing these expectations.
87. Cultural differences play a significant role in nonverbal communication; for example, the same gesture can be friendly in one culture and offensive in another.
88. Biting nails is often perceived as a sign of anxiety, nervousness, or stress.
89. Even the speed at which we respond to questions can communicate something, with quick responses indicating eagerness and hesitation potentially indicating uncertainty.
90. Pacing and leading is a technique used in communication where one person mirrors another's nonverbal cues to establish rapport and then gradually changes their body language to lead the interaction.
91. Artefacts, such as jewellery, tattoos, or hairstyles, can send nonverbal messages about identity, status, or affiliation.
92. Nonverbal cues can often reveal a person's attitudes and feelings towards others, even when their words might suggest otherwise.
93. Not all nonverbal communication is visual; auditory signals such as tone of voice, laughter, and sighs are also important.
94. Physical characteristics, such as height, weight, and attractiveness, also play a role in nonverbal communication by influencing perceptions and interactions.
95. There's a correlation between the direction of a person's gaze and their thought process; looking up and to the right often indicates visual construction (making up images), while looking up and to the left often indicates visual recall (remembering images).
96. Nonverbal signals, like physical touch and proximity, can help to build trust and cooperation among individuals.
97. The halo effect is a cognitive bias where the perception of positive qualities in one thing or part gives rise to the perception of similar qualities in related things or the whole.
98. The nonverbal aspects of voice (vocals) are often called paralanguage, including pitch, volume, and speech rate.
99. How we present ourselves, including our grooming and choice of clothes, can send powerful nonverbal messages.
100. Understanding and correctly interpreting nonverbal communication is a key skill in emotional intelligence.