The Wink of A Lie: The Myth That 93% Of Communication Is Non-verbal

For decades, Albert Mehrabian's research on communication has been misinterpreted and misrepresented by leaders, motivational speakers, trainers, and communication experts.

His study, which aimed to determine the relative importance of verbal and nonverbal communication in conveying emotions, has been reduced to a simple and misleading claim that 93% of communication is nonverbal.

Albert Mehrabian's research in the 1960s focused on the relative importance of verbal and nonverbal communication in conveying emotions. His research concluded that when communicating feelings and attitudes, only 7% of the message was conveyed through the words spoken, 38% through vocal cues such as tone of voice, and 55% through nonverbal cues such as facial expressions and body language.

However, it is important to note that Mehrabian's research was specific to a particular context and was not intended to be a general rule for all forms of communication. His research pertained to the communication of emotions in face-to-face conversations. It did not consider other important factors such as the context of the communication, the nature of the relationship between the communicators, or the cultural backgrounds of the individuals involved.

Additionally, Mehrabian himself cautioned against the misuse and misinterpretation of his research, stating that it should not be applied to all forms of communication. His research only focused on a small aspect of communication and should not be used as a general rule for all forms of communication.

This oversimplification of Mehrabian's research has been used to support various communication strategies and techniques, but it fails to capture the complexity and nuance of effective communication. In reality, Mehrabian's research was specific to a particular context and should not be used as a general rule for all forms of communication.

Therefore, it is not accurate to say that 93% of communication is nonverbal, as this oversimplifies the complexities of communication and ignores the many factors that influence how messages are conveyed and received. Communication is a multifaceted and dynamic process that involves much more than just words, vocal cues, and nonverbal cues.

It is crucial that leaders, motivational speakers, trainers, and communication experts understand the limitations of Mehrabian's research and seek to develop a more nuanced and holistic understanding of effective communication.

For example, the communication between a doctor and a patient would be different from the communication between friends or colleagues. The context of the communication, the relationship between the communicators, and the cultural backgrounds of the individuals involved can all impact how the message is conveyed and received.

Furthermore, the medium of communication can also affect how the message is received. For example, a message sent via email or text message may be interpreted differently than a message conveyed face-to-face, as nonverbal cues are absent in written communication.

Leaders, motivational speakers, trainers, and communication experts should be aware of the limitations of Mehrabian's research and avoid oversimplifying the complexities of communication. Rather than relying on a simple formula, they should seek to understand the unique context and factors that influence communication in each situation. This may involve developing skills in active listening, empathy, cultural sensitivity, and adaptability to different communication styles and mediums.

Effective communication involves much more than just the words that are spoken, the tone of voice, and the nonverbal cues. Communication is a complex and dynamic process that is influenced by many factors, including the context of the communication, the relationship between the communicators, their cultural backgrounds, and the medium of communication.

Context of Communication: The context of communication plays a critical role in how messages are conveyed and received. For example, research has shown that the communication style between a doctor and a patient can impact the patient's perception of their care. In a study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, researchers found that patients were more satisfied with their care when their doctors used a participatory communication style, which involves asking open-ended questions, providing explanations, and eliciting patients' opinions and preferences.

Relationship between Communicators: The relationship between communicators can also impact how messages are conveyed and received. For example, research has shown that effective communication between leaders and their followers is crucial for the success of organizations. In a study published in the Journal of Business and Psychology, researchers found that leaders who engage in transformational leadership behaviours, such as inspiring followers and providing individualized consideration, are more likely to have effective communication with their followers.

Cultural Backgrounds of Communicators: The cultural backgrounds of communicators can also play a role in how messages are conveyed and received. For example, research has shown that cultural differences in communication styles can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations. In a study published in the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, researchers found that Chinese and American participants had different communication styles, with Chinese participants using more indirect communication and American participants using more direct communication. These cultural differences in communication styles can impact how messages are interpreted and received by individuals from different cultural backgrounds.

Medium of Communication: The medium of communication can also impact how messages are conveyed and received. For example, research has shown that nonverbal cues are more important for emotional communication in face-to-face communication, while verbal cues are more important for informational communication in written communication. In a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, researchers found that nonverbal cues were more important than verbal cues for conveying emotions in face-to-face communication, while verbal cues were more important for conveying information in written communication.

Effective communication involves a complex interplay of verbal and nonverbal cues, cultural factors, and contextual factors, and requires a nuanced and holistic approach. While Albert Mehrabian's research on communication has contributed to our understanding of how emotions are conveyed, it should not be used as a general rule for all forms of communication.

Effective communication is critical for a variety of outcomes, including patient satisfaction, organizational success, and intercultural understanding. Therefore, it is important for leaders, motivational speakers, trainers, and communication experts to develop a nuanced and holistic understanding of effective communication, rather than relying on oversimplified formulas.