Key Concepts:
- Cues: Signals, both verbal and non-verbal, that communicate information.
- Decode: Interpreting the meaning of a cue received from another person.
- Encode: Sending a signal or cue to another person.
- Internalize: Processing the decoded information and adjusting behavior accordingly.
- Social Rejection Cue: A signal indicating disapproval or exclusion from a group.
- Field of Vision Increase: A physiological response to perceived social rejection, widening the visual field to assess the situation and potential escape routes.
- Stoic/Mute/Under-Signaling: Refraining from providing cues, which can disrupt the communication cycle.
- Confederate: A person who is part of a research study but acts as a normal participant.
The Cue Cycle: Decode, Encode, Internalize
The core of communication lies in a cyclical process: decoding, encoding, and internalizing. Encoding involves sending signals to others, such as nodding or tilting the head, which are warmth cues. Decoding is the interpretation of these signals; for example, "he likes this answer." Internalizing is the process of incorporating the decoded information and adjusting behavior accordingly, such as continuing to talk. This cycle repeats continuously during interaction.
Disruption of the Cycle: Stoicism and Under-Signaling
When someone is stoic, mute, or under-signals, they disrupt the communication cycle. This lack of signaling breaks the flow of interaction and can isolate the other person, as they receive no feedback to guide their behavior.
Negative Cues and Physiological Response: The Social Rejection Study
A research study investigated the impact of negative cues on physiology. Participants entered a room with confederates, one of whom signaled social rejection. The key finding was that upon spotting the social rejection cue, the participant's field of vision increased.
Explanation of Field of Vision Increase
The increase in field of vision is a physiological response to perceived social rejection. The brain interprets the negative cue as a potential threat, prompting the question, "Uh-oh, what did I do wrong, and where's my escape route?" This response demonstrates that negative cues directly alter the body's state.
Body Language Reading and Subconscious Perception
The body's reaction to negative cues highlights the subconscious aspect of body language reading. The body picks up on negative cues that the conscious brain may not immediately register. This emphasizes the importance of being attuned to these subtle physiological signals.
Conclusion
The communication cycle of decoding, encoding, and internalizing is fundamental to social interaction. Disruptions to this cycle, particularly through under-signaling or the presence of negative cues, can have significant psychological and physiological effects. The study on social rejection demonstrates how negative cues trigger a physiological response, highlighting the body's role in perceiving and reacting to social dynamics, often at a subconscious level.
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