Kinsey Institute’s Post

Making eye contact while listening is crucial to building social connect. Else, the speaker feels ignored. Appears that the eyes are important windows of communication.   Ben Jonson wrote, “Drink to me only with thine eyes And I will pledge with mine.”   But it is not only romantic communication that is helped through eye contact. Academic research says that it is important to look at the person who is speaking to you, if you want to build  any relationship. So while listening looking at the face of the speaker is important.   Also make acknowledging sound and gestures. This gives an assurance to the speaker that you are paying attention, and are interested in what they are saying.   But here is an interesting new find. I had not known this before! If you are saying something negative to the other person an averted gaze has less of a negative effect!!!   That means when you are speaking of positive things and also looking at the person the benefit is multiplied. Butt if you are saying negative things and look away while speaking they might feel the jab a little less!   I find this intriguing. Do you?         Below are research references for both!! Jiang, J., Borowiak, K., Tudge, L., Otto, C., & von Kriegstein, K. (2017). Neural mechanisms of eye contact when listening to another person talking. Social cognitive and affective neuroscience, 12(2), 319-328.   Breil, C., & Böckler, A. (2021). Look away to listen: The interplay of emotional context and eye contact in video conversations. Visual Cognition, 29(5), 277-287. #SalehaAhmad #GPSGoalSquad #communication

This is an older article from 2018, but in this day and age when we are working on increasing people’s emotional intelligence and better communication, it always strikes me as odd when we work with tools that makes this road even hard. Texting is a tool where emotion cannot be detected and leaves a lot of room for misinterpretation. For inclusive practice, it is better to meet in person or at least talk on the phone, especially for conversations that we know will evoke emotions. It is also important to be able to name emotions and clarify if what emotion is being perceived is actually being felt. Emotions are dynamic, complex and hard to categorize and we need to keep that in mind. https://lnkd.in/gG3H5qD2

New Publication Alert! One of our fun and interesting project is now published open access in PLOS ONE. S/O to our amazing team at the Kinsey Institute. "Assessing the relationships between emoji use and traits related to communication and interpersonal skills can provide insights into who employs emojis and the psychological mechanisms underlying computer-mediated communications." #Emoji #MoreThanEmoji

Looking at this photo reminds me of all the developmental checks I did with babies mirroring my facial expressions and noises I made. I have watched several funny videos of kids mirroring adults subconciously My daughter just did the same in this photo. Today I am all about nonverbal mirroring or mimicry. It blows my mind how much of this happens subconciously. These are just things I find fascinating. Nonverbal mirroring, also known as mirroring or mimicry, refers to the unconscious imitation of the gestures, body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, or other nonverbal behaviors of another person. When individuals engage in nonverbal mirroring, they mimic the nonverbal cues of the person they are interacting with, often without conscious awareness. Nonverbal mirroring occurs naturally in social interactions and can serve several important purposes: 1. Building rapport: Mirroring another person's nonverbal behavior can help create a sense of connection and rapport in social interactions. It can convey empathy, understanding, and a sense of being in sync with the other person. 2. Establishing trust: Nonverbal mirroring can help establish trust and build a sense of mutual understanding between individuals. When people mirror each other's nonverbal cues, it can signal that they are on the same wavelength and foster a sense of trust and cooperation. 3. Enhancing communication: Mirroring nonverbal behaviors can enhance communication by creating a sense of alignment and harmony between individuals. It can help convey attentiveness, engagement, and receptiveness in conversations. 4. Influencing behavior: Nonverbal mirroring can also be used as a subtle form of influence in social interactions. By mirroring another person's nonverbal cues, individuals can create a sense of familiarity and likability, which may influence the other person's behavior and attitudes. It's important to note that nonverbal mirroring should be done subtly and authentically to be effective. Conscious and exaggerated mirroring can come across as insincere or manipulative. Genuine mirroring occurs naturally in interactions where there is a genuine connection and rapport between individuals. Overall, nonverbal mirroring is a powerful tool in social interactions that can help foster connection, understanding, and effective communication between individuals.#lmudigitalventures #morroring #thesubconciousmind

As an observer of human behaviour, including my own, I've learned over the years that our faces are powerful communicators, expressing precisely what's happening within us. This understanding enlightens us about the importance of facial expressions in our daily interactions. Give this a thought. You meet an old school friend and ask him how he's doing. Pat comes the reply: Fine! Why? Like I doubted his well-being? What he doesn't realise is that his face tells another story. Or, looking at it another way, he forgot to inform his face. Body language researcher Albert Mehrabian, who first broke down the components of a face-to-face conversation, found that communication is 55% nonverbal, 38% vocal, and 7% words only. Facial expressions play a significant role in our nonverbal communication. In business, using facial expressions is crucial in conveying your intentions. Research has proven that being facially expressive is a social asset. Individuals with expressive faces are more popular and are perceived as better negotiators. Moreover, those who are more facially expressive tend to be more agreeable and successful in negotiations. Expressing emotions is not a sign of weakness but a powerful tool for communication and connection. It's not just about understanding others' feelings but also about sharing our own. This underscores the value of facial expressions in our daily interactions. And the best news is that expanding the range of our facial expressions is a behaviour that can be learned intentionally. #FacialExpressions #BodyLanguage #NonVerbalCommunication #CommunicationAndConnection

"The Secret Life of Pronouns: What Our Words Say About Us" by James W. Pennebaker explores the significance of pronouns in language and their implications for understanding human behavior and psychology. Here are the top 10 learnings from the book: 1. **Pronouns as Indicators of Social Dynamics**: - Pronouns reflect our social relationships, attitudes, and emotional states. Analyzing pronoun usage can provide insights into individuals' personalities, communication styles, and interpersonal dynamics. 2. **First-Person Pronouns**: - The frequency and context of first-person pronouns (e.g., "I," "me," "my") reveal aspects of self-focus, self-esteem, and self-expression. High usage of first-person pronouns may indicate self-involvement or self-reflection. 3. **Second-Person Pronouns**: - Second-person pronouns (e.g., "you," "your") are used to address or refer to others. The use of inclusive or exclusive pronouns (e.g., "we" vs. "you") reflects social cohesion, group identity, and interpersonal closeness. 4. **Third-Person Pronouns**: - Third-person pronouns (e.g., "he," "she," "they") are used to refer to individuals or groups. The choice of pronouns and their frequency can convey attitudes, biases, and social distance. 5. **Language Style Matching**: - Language style matching refers to the degree of similarity in language use between individuals during communication. High levels of language style matching are associated with rapport, empathy, and interpersonal connection. 6. **Pronouns and Deception**: - Pronoun usage can vary in deceptive communication. Shifts in pronoun usage, such as from first-person to third-person pronouns, may indicate attempts to distance oneself from deceptive statements. 7. **Pronouns in Writing**: - Pronoun usage patterns in written text can reveal psychological traits and emotional states. Analyzing pronouns in written communication provides insights into authors' personalities, intentions, and underlying emotions. 8. **Gender Differences in Pronoun Usage**: - Gender differences exist in pronoun usage, with men and women often exhibiting distinct patterns. These differences reflect socialization, communication styles, and cultural norms surrounding gender. 9. **Psychological Insights from Pronoun Analysis**: - Pronoun analysis offers valuable insights into various psychological phenomena, including identity development, relationship dynamics, and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. 10. **Practical Applications of Pronoun Research**: - Pronoun research has practical applications in fields such as psychology, linguistics, communication studies, and artificial intelligence. Understanding the nuances of pronoun usage can inform interventions, assessments, and language processing algorithms.

Everything speaks! Body language speaks louder than words. For example, have you ever been offended and your mouth says one thing, but your energy says another? I most certainly have!!! I'm not out here in these LinkedIn streets alone. Many of you have too. Often... we say" I'm good"...lies!😂 Or, some type of variation. Your body language tells the truth... It's important to know how to express ourselves using our bodies. Its a powerful tool done correctly. It's one of the fastest ways to draw attention or shift the energy in a room. #communication #nonverbals

In my professional career, I’ve seen this simple yet overlooked body language trick transform relationships: mirroring. Most people do it wrong—here’s how to do it right. Here’s the surprising part: Mirroring doesn’t just help in business or interviews. It works everywhere—networking, leadership, even personal relationships. Did you know that the way we use our body language can create powerful connections with others—without saying a word? It all comes down to mirror neurons, the fascinating part of our brain that helps us reflect the emotions and actions of those around us. By mirroring body language, you can create trust, strengthen relationships, and build rapport in any interaction. Here are 7 tips to leverage this skill effectively: 1️⃣ Understand the Science: Mirror neurons are activated when we observe and replicate the body language of others. This subconscious mimicry signals that we’re on the same wavelength, making others feel understood and valued. 2️⃣ Start Small: Subtly mirror simple gestures, such as their posture, hand movements, or head tilts. Keep it natural—this isn’t about copying but about aligning. 3️⃣ Pay Attention to Tone and Tempo: Matching someone’s speech pace, tone, or energy level can deepen the connection. For example, slowing down if they speak calmly or matching enthusiasm when they’re animated. 4️⃣ Use Eye Contact Wisely: Mirroring isn’t just about gestures; it’s also about being present. Maintain friendly, consistent eye contact to show you’re fully engaged. 5️⃣ Don’t Overdo It: The key to mirroring is subtlety. Overdoing it can come across as insincere. Mirror naturally and with intention, rather than mimicking every move. 6️⃣ Adapt Across Cultures: Mirroring works differently in diverse cultural contexts. Be mindful of cultural norms when using this technique, and adjust your approach accordingly. 7️⃣ Practice Empathy: True mirroring goes beyond physical gestures—it’s about tuning into the other person’s emotions. Show that you’re genuinely interested in their perspective and experience. ✨ Mirroring is a powerful way to build trust and connection, whether in professional settings, personal relationships, or public speaking. Give it a try, and you might be surprised at how naturally conversations flow! What are your experiences with body language and building rapport? Let’s discuss in the comments!

🗣️ Excelling at conversation is key to building strong connections, especially with new contacts. According to neuroscience experts, the best way to keep a conversation flowing is to truly listen. By focusing fully on what the other person is saying, using engaging body language, and maintaining a balanced rhythm in the exchange, you create a comfortable environment for dialogue. This approach not only avoids awkward pauses but also fosters deeper engagement, making your conversations more effective and impactful. #CommunicationSkills #LeadershipTips https://lnkd.in/e6XC5Am4