Is Verbal or Non Verbal Communication More Effective in Forming First Impressions?

2 Found helpful • 8 Pages • Essays / Projects • Year: Pre-2021

The focus of this investigation is to examine the influences of verbal and nonverbal communication on impression formation. A first impression is the initial stage when one person first encounters another person and forms a preconceived idea about them in their mind. First impressions play significant roles within society, as they determine how individuals perceive and interact with one-another. This investigation seeks to determine whether verbal or nonverbal communication is more effective in making favourable first impressions. Verbal communication involves spoken language and can be semantic (what is said) or expressive (how it is said, e.g. tone of voice). Nonverbal communication, however, relates to communication made through body language such as posture, gestures and facial expressions. The aim of this investigation is to answer the question “Does verbal or nonverbal communication have the greatest influence over first impressions of a presenter in adolescences?” To achieve this goal, a qualitative research design in the form of a focus group will be used to gather data. According to Spencer et.al, a focus group involves an assembled group of people that participate in an interactive discussion related to a specific topic, which is led by a facilitator and recorded by a note taker. The raw data from the focus group will be collated, and emerging themes will be presented. Overall, it is expected that nonverbal communication will have a greater influence on the effectiveness of a presenter to make a favourable first impression than verbal communication.

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