"Silent Messages" -- A Wealth of Information About Nonverbal Communication (Body Language)
Mehrabian, A. (1981). Silent messages: Implicit communication of emotions and attitudes. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth (currently distributed by Albert Mehrabian, am@kaaj.com)
My findings on communication and body language, as well as those of many other investigators, are organized and summarized in very readable form in "Silent Messages." The book deals with all facets of nonverbal communication, including body positions and movements, facial expressions, voice quality and intonation during speech, volume and speed of speech, subtle variations in wording of sentences that reveal hidden meanings in what is said, combinations of messages from different sources (e.g., face, tone of voice, words), and general descriptions of individual communication styles or mannerisms.
Most of the findings summarized in "Silent Messages" can be used to enhance one's awareness of the many subtle aspects of interpersonal communication, and to improve one's communication skills. Leadership and management trainers can make very effective use of this book in a variety of training seminars on improving communication skills, leadership, or effectiveness of working groups.
Here are only a few examples of the numerous important aspects of communication described in "Silent Messages:"
- During persuasion -- what are the important nonverbal messages for effective persuasion of others, for example, in a supervisory role or in sales?
- Deceitful behavior -- how can one detect that another is
being deceitful or not overly forthcoming?
- Individual communication styles -- how do we describe a person's general communication style and what are the basic elements of a person's style? How can one identify problem elements in one's own nonverbal communication and improve one's communication effectiveness?
- Analyses of the way in which sentences are worded. For example, what differences in attitudes are implied when someone says: "I like those people" instead of, "I like these people?"
- Inconsistent communications -- the relative importance of
verbal and nonverbal messages. My findings on this topic have received considerable
attention in the literature and in the popular media. "Silent Messages"
contains a detailed discussion of my findings on
inconsistent messages of feelings and attitudes (and the relative importance of words vs. nonverbal cues) on pages 75 to 80.
Total Liking = 7% Verbal Liking + 38% Vocal Liking + 55% Facial Liking
Please note that this and other equations regarding relative importance of verbal and nonverbal messages were derived from experiments dealing with communications of feelings and attitudes (i.e., like-dislike). Unless a communicator is talking about their feelings or attitudes, these equations are not applicable. Also see references 286 and 305 in Silent Messages -- these are the original sources of my findings.
This order form is not required if you pay via Paypal. On the Paypal form, be sure to indicate the item you are ordering, your complete street address, phone number, and email address. Your phone number and email address are essential, so you can be reached in the event there are any delivery problems
_____ In space on left, enter $37 for two CDs containing all of the following five items (one CD with Adobe Acrobat .pdf files plus a second audio CD of interviews) that will be shipped to USA or international destinations free of shipping charges:
- A .pdf file of "Silent Messages"
- A .pdf file of of the two original articles dealing with my equation on the relative importance of verbal and nonverbal cues in the communication of feelings and attitudes (references 286 and 305 in Silent Messages).
- A .pdf file containing my 107-page monograph: Mehrabian, A. (2000). Beyond IQ: Broad-based measurement of individual success potential or "emotional intelligence." Genetic, Social, and General Psychology Monographs, 126, 133-239.
- .pdf files of two other books by Albert Mehrabian ("Baby Name Report Card" and "Your Inner Path to Investment Success") and some three dozen key articles by Albert Mehrabian that he deems to be of interest to the general public.
- Important A 63-minute audio CD of two interviews with Albert Mehrabian on the different areas of his research on nonverbal communication. These interviews should serve as a useful overview of nonverbal messages in life and could be a good adjunct to the book "Silent Messages."
_____ In space on left, add 7.25% sales tax for *California residents only* ($2.68 for a $37 purchase).
_____ In space on left, enter the total dollar amount you are remitting.
Your name & address:
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
Your email address: ___________________________________________
If you are paying with a check, mail this order form to:
Albert Mehrabian
1130 Alta Mesa Road
Monterey, CA 93940, USA
Address label
Please include an address label (with your name and complete address written out clearly) that I can affix to the package I ship you.
Payment Information
If you are ordering from within the USA, you can pay with a money order, a personal check, or with a credit card via Paypal -- see the Paypal link below.
If you are ordering from outside the USA, please DO NOT PAY WITH A PERSONAL CHECK -- checks for international orders must be issued by a bank and must be payable in US dollars. You also can pay with a credit card by clicking on the following link: