Importance of Non-Verbal Communication :Mehrabian's Communication Research

Professor Albert Mehrabian's Communications Model

Professor Albert Mehrabian has pioneered the understanding of communications since the 1960s.  He currently devotes his time to research, writing, and consulting as Professor Emeritus of Psychology, UCLA. Mehrabian's work featured strongly (mid-late 1900s) in establishing early understanding of body language and non-verbal communications.

Aside from his many and various other fascinating works, Mehrabian's research provided the basis for the widely quoted and often much over-simplified statistic for the effectiveness of spoken communications.

Here is a more precise (and necessarily detailed) representation of Mehrabian's findings than is typically cited or applied:

•     7% of message pertaining to feelings and attitudes is in the words that are spoken.

•     38% of message pertaining to feelings and attitudes is paralinguistic (the way that the words are said).

•     55% of message pertaining to feelings and attitudes is in facial expression.

Here's the overly-simplistic interpretation. Where you see or use it, qualify it, in proper context.

•     7% of meaning in the words that are spoken.

•     38% of meaning is paralinguistic (the way that the words are said).

•     55% of meaning is in facial expression.

This illustrates why non-verbal communication is so important. For more information on this research click here.

For information on Call of the Wild advice and guidance courses where communication is so important click the link.