An Investigation of Differential Ability in Decoding Nonverbal Cues.

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  • Author(s): Isenhart, Myra W.
  • Language:
    English
  • Publication Date:
    1978
  • Document Type:
    Speeches/Meeting Papers
  • Additional Information
    • Peer Reviewed:
      N
    • Source:
      26
    • Subject Terms:
      Ability; Ability Identification; College Students; Communication Skills; Individual Characteristics; Individual Power; Interpersonal Competence; Nonverbal Communication; Sex Differences; Sex Role; Speech Communication
    • Abstract:
      The separation and comparison of sex and dominance as they relate to the ability to decode emotional meaning from nonverbal cues were investigated in a study conducted with 51 female and 55 male college students. The study was based on the assumption that submissiveness is positively related to skill in decoding nonverbal cues and was designed after consideration of previous studies (many of which are summarized) of the connections between decoding ability and personal characteristics, personality correlates, and other communicative skills. The research questions addressed the relationships between orientation toward control by powerful others, femininity, and the ability to decode nonverbal cues, and the ability of orientation toward control by powerful others, gender, and femininity to serve as predictors of decoding ability. Measurement instruments included the Profile of Nonverbal Sensitivity, the Bem Sex Role Inventory, and two scales that measured the degree of orientation toward control by powerful others. Analysis of the results indicated that females are better decoders than males, that dominance and decoding may not be meaningfully related, and that femininity and ability to decode nonverbal cues are negatively related. (GW)
    • Publication Date:
      1978
    • Accession Number:
      ED158354