Bodily Communication
by Michael Argyle
First published 1975
Nonverbal communication - the eye movements, facial
expressions, tone of voice, postures and gestures that we all use more or less
consciously and more or less effectively - can enhance or diminish every form
of social interaction. Subsequent editions have been expanded and significantly
revised, with new chapter added. Professor Michael Argyle was a pioneer in the
experimental study of nonverbal behaviour and helped define the scope of social
psychology in academic departments. Argyle’s studies into gaze and mutual gaze
behaviour included cultural differences, gaze duration, and its role in
conversation regulation. He also identified the ways in which conscious touch
takes place, and how feedback demonstrates understanding. Among his many
conclusions were that a greater importance is placed on nonverbal behaviour
over what’s actually spoken when it comes to attitude assumptions (NV 12.5x
more powerful) and the handling of immediate social relationships; that
increased eye contact increases liking and helps ensure the smooth flow of
conversation; and that the amount of eye contact decreases if a speaker stands
closer to the listener than would normally be comfortable.