21/11/2025
In a series of experiments in the 1960s–1970s, Albert Mehrabian explored how people judge feelings and attitudes.
His main conclusion was:
• 7% of emotional meaning comes from the words we say
• 38% comes from the tone of our voice
• 55% comes from our facial expressions
This led to the popular myth:
👉🏼 93% of communication is nonverbal.
But that’s not what he actually said.
His research focused only on situations where a person’s words, tone, and expression didn’t match. In those moments, people naturally trust the nonverbal cues more than the literal words.
💡And that’s a powerful reminder for anyone who speaks in front of others.
In public speaking, how we communicate — our posture, energy, expression, and vocal presence — can support our message or compete with it.
When all three align, our message lands with clarity and confidence.
When they don’t, the audience feels the disconnect immediately.
If you want to learn more about how to grow into a speaker people genuinely enjoy listening to, come join us every Friday at UWA Toastmasters.
It’s a friendly and supportive space to practice, learn, and build real presence.
📅 When: Fridays, 1:00 PM – 1:55 PM
📍 Where: Room 2202, Lvl 2, Student Central, UWA
photo: Internet