As a communication expert, it's important to clarify that the nature of communication is incredibly complex and multifaceted. The often-cited rule that communication is only 7 percent verbal and 93 percent non-verbal, attributed to Professor Mehrabian, is a simplification that has been widely misunderstood and misused. In reality, the role of nonverbal communication is significant, but it is not as dominant as the 93 percent figure suggests.

Nonverbal communication includes a wide range of behaviors and signals that convey information without the use of words. This can include body language, facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, posture, and even the physical space between individuals. It is a universal aspect of human interaction and plays a crucial role in how we interpret and respond to one another.

The 7/38/55 rule, as it is sometimes called, originated from Mehrabian's research on interpersonal perception, specifically his studies on how people evaluate the sincerity of a message. The percentages Mehrabian found were related to the evaluation of honesty and do not represent a general rule for all types of communication. The 7 percent verbal component refers to the actual words used, the 38 percent tone of voice component relates to the emotional tone and other auditory cues, and the 55 percent body language component encompasses facial expressions and body movements.

It's essential to understand that these percentages are not a fixed rule for all communication scenarios. They are specific to the context of Mehrabian's studies and should not be applied universally. Communication effectiveness depends on numerous factors, including cultural norms, the relationship between the communicators, the setting, and the topic being discussed.

Moreover, the importance of verbal communication should not be underestimated. Words carry meaning, intent, and context, which are vital for clear and effective communication. While nonverbal cues can reinforce or contradict verbal messages, they do not replace the need for clear and articulate speech.

In today's digital age, where much of our communication occurs through text and other non-face-to-face mediums, the role of nonverbal cues is different but still important. Emojis, for example, are a form of nonverbal communication that can convey tone and emotion in digital messages.

In conclusion, while nonverbal communication is a powerful and integral part of human interaction, it is not as overwhelming as the 93 percent figure might suggest. It is crucial to consider the context, the individuals involved, and the medium of communication when evaluating the role of verbal and nonverbal elements in a given interaction.

read more >>

Professor Mehrabian combined the statistical results of the two studies and came up with the now famous--and famously misused--rule that communication is only 7 percent verbal and 93 percent non-verbal. The non-verbal component was made up of body language (55 percent) and tone of voice (38 percent).read more >>