Training students to decode verbal and nonverbal cues: Effects on confidence and performance.

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of using previous research findings as a means of teaching students how to interpret verbal and nonverbal behaviors. Students were pretested and then randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: no training, receiving an informational lecture about verbal and nonverbal cues, or receiving practice in identifying relevant cues in videotaped interactions. Results indicated that only the group that received practice significantly improved its ability to correctly interpret verbal and nonverbal behavior. Information alone produced no improvement in performance, but it significantly increased subjects' confidence in the accuracy of their performance