82: Vanessa Van Edwards | Pumping up the Volume of Nonverbal Communication

Facial Punctuators

Facial expressions, known as facial punctuators, play a crucial role in emphasizing our words and shaping perceptions. Vanessa Van Edwards explains that these expressions, such as raising eyebrows in surprise or furrowing them in concentration, are not universal but personal to each individual 1. These expressions can unintentionally convey unintended messages, like appearing naive or angry, which can impact how others perceive us. Vanessa shares her experience of being perceived as naive due to her default surprise expression:

I look maybe innocent.

--- Vanessa Van Edwards

Understanding and adjusting these expressions can help align our nonverbal communication with our intended message 2.

   

Gender Interpretation

Gender plays a significant role in how facial expressions and body language are interpreted. Vanessa Van Edwards notes that while men and women may express themselves similarly, the interpretation often differs, with serious expressions in men perceived as competence and in women as coldness 3. This discrepancy highlights societal biases in interpreting nonverbal cues. Vanessa illustrates this with the example of reporters, where a serious male reporter is seen as intense, while a female counterpart might be labeled aggressive.

If a woman were to get on as a reporter...she would be seen as like, “Whoa, that's aggressive.”

--- Vanessa Van Edwards

Recognizing these biases can help individuals navigate and adjust their nonverbal communication to better align with their desired perceptions 4.