Communication & Teamwork Nonverbal Communication 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What percentage of communication is estimated to be conveyed through nonverbal cues, according to widely cited research?
- About 10%
- About 35%
- About 55–65% (Correct answer)
- About 90%
Correct answer: About 55–65%
Research, including Mehrabian's studies, suggests that a substantial majority of emotional communication — roughly 55–65% — is conveyed through nonverbal cues like body language and facial expressions.
Question 2: Which nonverbal cue most strongly signals engagement and interest in a conversation?
- Crossed arms and a reclining posture
- Direct eye contact and leaning slightly forward (Correct answer)
- Looking at the floor and fidgeting
- Frequently glancing at a phone or clock
Correct answer: Direct eye contact and leaning slightly forward
Maintaining eye contact and leaning slightly toward the speaker are widely recognized signals of interest and engagement.
Question 3: What does 'proxemics' refer to in nonverbal communication?
- The use of gestures to emphasize spoken words
- The study of how people use and interpret personal space in communication (Correct answer)
- The speed and pitch of a person's voice
- The use of color and design in visual presentations
Correct answer: The study of how people use and interpret personal space in communication
Proxemics is the study of how proximity and personal space affect communication, comfort, and relationships.
Question 4: In a US workplace context, maintaining appropriate eye contact typically communicates which of the following?
- Aggression and dominance
- Disinterest and distraction
- Confidence, honesty, and engagement (Correct answer)
- Submission and deference
Correct answer: Confidence, honesty, and engagement
In US professional settings, steady (not staring) eye contact generally signals confidence, honesty, and active engagement with the conversation.
Question 5: What does 'mirroring' mean in the context of nonverbal communication?
- Literally copying someone's appearance to mock them
- Subtly reflecting another person's body language to build rapport and show attentiveness (Correct answer)
- Using a mirror to practice communication skills before a meeting
- Repeating back word-for-word what someone has just said
Correct answer: Subtly reflecting another person's body language to build rapport and show attentiveness
Mirroring involves subtly matching another person's posture, gestures, or expressions to create a sense of connection and understanding.
Question 6: A team member who frequently crosses their arms during a team discussion is most likely communicating what?
- They are cold and trying to stay warm
- They are fully engaged and enthusiastic
- They may be feeling defensive, closed off, or uncomfortable (Correct answer)
- They are the designated note-taker for the meeting
Correct answer: They may be feeling defensive, closed off, or uncomfortable
While crossed arms can sometimes mean a person is cold, in a communicative context they often signal defensiveness, discomfort, or emotional closure.
Communication & Teamwork Nonverbal Communication 1
What percentage of communication is estimated to be conveyed through nonverbal cues, according to widely cited research?