(Reading People) Flashcards
7 cards from real Emotional Intelligence practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 (Reading People) flashcards as text
In terms of reading people accurately, what is the primary risk of the 'halo effect'?
Answer: Assuming all traits are positive because one trait is impressive
The halo effect causes one positive trait—such as attractiveness or confidence—to bias our overall perception, leading us to inaccurately attribute other positive qualities to that person.
What does it mean when someone's feet point toward the exit during a conversation?
Answer: Their subconscious desire is to leave or end the interaction
Feet often point in the direction one genuinely wants to go, and feet aimed at an exit can signal disengagement or a subconscious desire to leave before the verbal cues appear.
When observing contempt in someone's facial expression, which specific feature distinguishes it from disgust?
Answer: One-sided lip curl or sneer on one side of the face
Contempt is uniquely characterized by a unilateral (one-sided) lip corner raise or sneer, setting it apart from disgust which is typically bilateral and involves the nose.
An emotionally intelligent person notices a teammate has been quiet all week and withdraws from team lunches. The best initial response is:
Answer: Privately check in with genuine curiosity and no agenda
Privately and genuinely checking in with a withdrawn colleague demonstrates accurate empathy and respectful social awareness without putting them on the spot.
The 'Duchenne marker' is used to distinguish genuine smiles from social smiles. What does it involve?
Answer: Contraction of the orbicularis oculi causing crow's feet near the eyes
A genuine Duchenne smile involves the orbicularis oculi muscle around the eyes, creating crow's feet—this muscle is difficult to activate voluntarily, making it a reliable authenticity marker.
Which approach best helps overcome personal bias when trying to read someone from a different cultural background?
Answer: Learn cultural norms for that group and consider them alongside universal cues
While some expressions are universal, many gestures and norms are culturally specific; integrating cultural knowledge with universal baselines produces more accurate readings.
A person gives a detailed, rapid-fire explanation when asked a simple yes-or-no question. What might this signal?
Answer: Discomfort, guilt, or a need to over-justify an answer
Over-explaining or offering unsolicited detail in response to simple questions can be a stress-driven behavior linked to discomfort, guilt, or anxiety about how one's answer will be perceived.