How We Communicate
All of us communicate nonverbally as well as verbally. To Westerners, a firm handshake immediately conveys an outgoing, expressive personality. With a gaze, an averted glance, or a stare we can communicate intimacy, submission, or dominance. Among these passionately in love, gazing into each other’s eyes is typically prolonged and mutual. Most of us are good enough reading nonverbal cues to decipher the emotions in an old silent film. We are especially good at detecting threats. Even when hearing emotions conveyed in another language, people most readily detect anger.
People also communicate their emotions. First, the person perceives that something great has happened-her lottery ticket number was just announced on TV! She might smile, laugh, and literally “jump for joy”. Then she might begin to consider ways to expand on or share her happiness, such as calling her parents.
Read more about this topic: Human Communication
Famous quotes containing the word communicate:
“Therefore all just persons are satisfied with their own praise. They refuse to explain themselves, and are content that new actions should do them that office. They believe that we communicate without speech, and above speech, and that no right action of ours is quite unaffecting to our friends, at whatever distance; for the influence of action is not to be measured by miles.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)