Nonverbal cues are often difficult to read. Some years ago, a number of popular books introduced the general public to nonverbal communication. One popular volume, Body Language, described the nonverbal studies of several researchers. This bestseller was followed by others that simplified and popularized research in this area. Many of them, however, oversimplified the behavioral science behind the findings in the interest of making a sale, detecting a liar, attracting members of the opposite sex and so on.

According to Professor Mark Knapp of the University of Texas, “Although such books aroused the public's interest in nonverbal communication … readers too often were left with the idea that reading nonverbal cues is the key to success in any human encounter; some of these books implied that single cues represent single meanings. Not only is it important to look at nonverbal clusters of behavior, but also to recognize that nonverbal meaning, like verbal, rarely is limited to a single denotative meaning.”

Nonverbal cues are often difficult to interpret. What may mean one thing in one context, culture or circumstance may mean something entirely different in another. Professor Knapp goes on to say, “Some of these popularized accounts do not sufficiently remind us that the meaning of a particular behavior is often understood by looking at the context in which the behavior occurs; for example, looking into someone's eyes may reflect affection in one situation and aggression in another.” The importance of reading context, just as you would with verbal expression, is especially important. The meaning of all communication, after all, is context-driven.

Nonverbal behaviors are often contradictory. Your posture and vocal tone may say one thing, but your eyes may say another. You try to stand up straight and portray a dominant, confident 40 posture, but your hands are fidgeting with a pen, which may say something entirely different. Nonverbal behaviors do come “packaged” together, and you must often examine several behaviors before you begin to discern a coherent picture of the person in front of you.

Some nonverbal cues are more important than others. As you examine several behaviors clustered together— vocal pace, tone and pitch; body posture; pupil dilation; arm and hand movements— careful observers clearly see that some cues are more important than others.