Understanding Nonverbal Communication

By: Mark G. Frank, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Mark G. Frank

Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

Vocal tone and pitch. Posture. Eye contact and blinking. Gestures. Gait. Body type and clothing choices. How much of our communication is nonverbal?

In Understanding Nonverbal Communication, you'll discover that nonverbal communication is less intentional and harder to control than the words you choose to speak. Because you are less aware of it than you are of your words, it provides better clues to what you are feeling and thinking. You can deliberately decide what to say, but from the deeper subcortical regions of your brain come your involuntary nonverbal expressions, including sweat, pupil dilation, facial movements, or blushing cheeks - any of which can speak more about your intentions or emotions than your actual words might. In 12 revealing lectures, you'll explore the history, evolution, and context of both the outright obvious and the sublimely subtle nuances of personal expression.

The science of nonverbal communication has revealed intriguing insights into everything from how aspects of your reactions are biologically hardwired to how you are subconsciously influenced to vote by political speakers. You'll come to realize that the "invisible" world of nonverbal communication was always visible to you. You will explore the role of nonverbal communication as it relates to understanding other people's worldviews and interaction styles. With careful observation, you can capitalize on this science to further appreciate human expression, smooth social interactions, and strengthen relationships - helping to make the world a better and more accepting place.

©2016 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2016 The Great Courses

great listen

I learned so much. It's easy to follow and something I think everyone could take something away from

A great primer

This is a great primer on nonverbal communication. The instructor explains the concepts in a clear concise manner.

Overall audiobook this is a good investment of your time.

Meh.

Pretty good but not great. It has its moments. I don’t think I will listen to it again.

Overall good

The Creation story is far more believable than the evolution theory. Not really convinced of the explanation of the "millions and billions of years" is why we do something. The other aspects of the course were insightful.

Not bad, but not the best...

Entertaining and well narrated for the most part, but lacking any new information or insight.

Very eye opening

I will definitely listen to this again.
I like the part about past collies text, mixing compared to science and the part about attraction.

Should be required listening.

A basic understanding of Non Verbal Communication has the ability to improve every aspect of your life. The lectures were easy to understand and to the point

Very little about Nonverbal communication

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Professor Frank's presentational style is excellent. However, the focus of most of this book is not about communication between/among people but how the external environment impacts our perceptions of other people. A lot of that material is boring.

probably a little less practical than I had hoped

decent book. I had hoped for it to be a little bit more practical. there are a lot of broad generalities.

A great guide to begin understanding non verbal...

Very insightful details on the unconscious things we do versus what we say despite our socioeconomic background or cultural identity. There were part when the speaker was "demonstrating" and action that took away from the audio book experience. But overall, it is a good book I will be referring to in the future for sure.