Voice and Gestures in Nonverbal Communication: Evidence From Psychophysiological Studies

Abstract

There are many studies about nonverbal communication analyzing its different components (see Knapp, 1980), especially kinesics. The most productive research period was between 1970 and 1980. However, according to Gordon and Druckman (2018), much of this research is theoretical or has an application-demonstration orientation, with no empirical data to support the analysis. Further, few studies have employed psychophysiological methods to examine how nonverbal cues are cognitively processed. Such methods offer several advantages. The first one is that we can register the individuals’ reactions at the same time that they are exposed to the nonverbal stimuli. We have not to wait to ask about the stimulus after the exposure when the subjects can have forgotten what they thought o felt at a specific moment. Therefore, we have not to trust in their perception. The second is that we can measure the subjects’ unconscious or implicit response. This benefit is significant when analyzing nonverbal communication, as most of the cues are unconsciously processed. A third advantage is that we can have a more objective measure of the nonverbal stimulus than we would by trusting only self-reporting. Consequently, including these techniques to study non-verbal cues adds rigor to the analysis and a clearer radiography of what subjects think and feel.

This chapter will examine different study cases in which we have analyzed gestures (kinesics) and voice (vocalics) using psychophysiological techniques. It will begin by expounding on the standard psychophysiological methods used in communication and then it will explain different studies in which they are applied.