According to communication studies, what percentage of communication is non-verbal?

The assertion that approximately 93% of communication is non-verbal stems from research conducted by psychologist Albert Mehrabian. This concept emphasizes the significant role that body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, and other non-verbal cues have in conveying meaning during interpersonal communication. Mehrabian's findings highlight that when people communicate feelings and attitudes, the overwhelming majority of the message is conveyed through non-verbal means rather than through spoken words.

This understanding is crucial for School Resource Officers and educators, as effective communication within school environments often relies heavily on interpreting non-verbal signals. For instance, students may express their feelings or intentions more through their posture, eye contact, or gestures than through their verbal responses. Recognizing and understanding these cues can enhance communication and help SROs better assess situations involving students.

The other percentages provided in the options represent lower estimates of non-verbal communication's impact, but they do not capture the extent that research has identified as being predominantly non-verbal. Thus, emphasizing the 93% figure underscores the importance of non-verbal cues in communication studies.