# A closer examination of a study on verbal and non-verbal messages - 科目：雅思阅读真题（Part 3） - 考频：中频 - 最近考试：2018.6.2 - 题目数：14 - 来源页：https://www.yaquan.site/paper/8959c23e-0f51-4e9b-a35b-beb7ce87102d（在线机考练习与音频请访问该页面） - 数据更新：2026-10-29 ## 题目原文 A study of non-verbal communication carried out in 1967 continues to be widely quoted today. David Lapakko looks at limitations in the original study. Description of the Study A The findings of a study on verbal and non-verbal messages in communication by Albert Mehrabian and his colleagues at UCLA in 1967 have been quoted so frequently that they are now often regarded as a self-evident truth. B In the first experiment, subjects were asked to listen to a recording of a female saying the word 'maybe' in three tones of voice to convey liking, neutrality, and disliking. The subjects were then shown photos of female faces expressing the same three emotions and were asked to guess the emotions in the recorded voice and the photos. It was found that the photos got more accurate responses than the voices. C In the second experiment, subjects listened to nine recorded words spoken in different tones of voice. Three words had positive meanings (e.g., honey), three were neutral (e.g., oh), and three were negative (e.g., terrible). Again, the subjects had to guess the speaker's emotions. It was found that tone of voice carried more meaning than the individual words. From these experiments, the researchers concluded that 7% of our feeling towards a speaker is based on the actual words they use, 38% on their tone of voice, and 55% on their body language (e.g., facial expression). Methodological Issues D However, a closer look at the study reveals several limitations. The first is that the entire study involved only 62 subjects. Of these, 25 were used to select the word for the first experiment, while the key issue—comparing verbal and non-verbal communication—was determined by only the 37 remaining subjects. All were female undergraduates who participated as part of their introductory psychology course, and their ages and academic qualifications seem remarkably uniform. Thus, the findings may simply be a product of the nature of the sample. E Critics have also pointed out that the 7-38-55 formula is flawed since it was pieced together from two different experiments, neither of which involved all three channels (verbal, vocal, and facial). In addition, in the first experiment, the single word maybe was used throughout, so it was impossible for the effects of changes in verbal input to be assessed. The researchers intentionally used a "neutral" word so naturally, the subjects found little meaning there. Clearly, such a methodology lacks validity. In the real world, people communicate in a particular context and speak in phrases and full-blown sentences, making extensive use of the multi-faceted vehicle of language. F My concern is that interpretations of this study have gained such prominence in our pedagogical literature. This 7-38-55 formula appears in many basic texts used for training in public speaking, interpersonal communication, and organizational communication. Lessons to Consider G Clearly, one appealing aspect of the Mehrabian study is its numerical precision. Communication is a complex phenomenon, but it seems less so when we can rely on these three magical numbers. In contrast to the ambiguities of language, numbers seem to possess exactness. And the popular appeal of the study has given the 7-38-55 formula enormous credibility. There is a certain mystique about non-verbal communication, and the continued references to this research sustain it, encouraging people to believe in the overwhelming importance of the non-verbal message compared with the verbal one. H Yet we know that even one well-chosen word to a colleague or friend can make or break a communicative effort. Words do matter. Bradley (1991), one of the few textbook writers to criticize the Mehrabian study, makes the same point when he observes, "If we could communicate 93% of information and attitudes with vocal and facial cues, it would be wasteful to spend time learning a language." I Mehrabian himself believes his research should not be interpreted to devalue the role of language in communication, saying: "Please remember that all my findings dealt with communications of feelings and attitudes. It is absurd to imply or suggest that the verbal portion of all communication constitutes only 7% of the message anytime we communicate abstract relationships (e.g., x = y²) clearly 100% of the entire communication is verbal" (Mehrabian, 1996). J To be fair, many textbook writers attempt to be faithful to the context of Mehrabian's research. For example, Stewart and D'Angele (1988) write: "Mehrabian argues that when we're uncertain about what someone's feeling, or about how much we like him or her, we rely... only 7% on the words that are spoken." Others try to play down the specific percentages, saying that an understanding of the general importance of non-verbal cues is more important. Nonetheless, other textbook authors simply use the numbers without placing any limits on their meaning. Conclusion K Since this relatively small study was first published, it has achieved an influence far beyond its intended scope. We need to put it into its proper perspective and learn some important lessons from it regarding social science research, communication pedagogy, and the forces which have created widespread misunderstanding about communication. ## 题目与答案 ### 27. Mehrabian's 1967 study Albert Mehrabian and his colleagues carried out an influential study comparing the 27_____ of verbal and non-verbal communication. Mehrabian's 1967 study Albert Mehrabian and his colleagues carried out an influential study comparing the 27_____ of verbal and non-verbal communication. - facial expressions - purposes - printed words - effects - word meanings - gender differences **答案**：effects 原文定位：Albert Mehrabian and his colleagues at UCLA in 1967 have been quoted so frequently that they are now often regarded as a self-evident truth;the researchers concluded that 7% of our feeling towards a speaker is based on the actual words they use, 38% on their tone of voice, and 55% on their body language 同义替换：「verbal and non-verbal communication」↔「feelings and attitudes」 ### 28. This involved two experiments. In both experiments, subjects had to identify the 28_____ being communicated by other people. This involved two experiments. In both experiments, subjects had to identify the 28_____ being communicated by other people. - facial expressions - purposes - printed words - effects - word meanings - gender differences **答案**：feelings 原文定位：were asked to guess the emotions in the recorded voice and the photos;had to guess the speaker's emotions 同义替换：「identify」↔「guess」；「being communicated」↔「emotions」 ### 29. The two main areas focused on in the first experiment were voice tones and 29_____ The two main areas focused on in the first experiment were voice tones and 29_____ - facial expressions - purposes - printed words - effects - word meanings - gender differences **答案**：facial expressions 原文定位：In the first experiment;listen to a recording of a female saying the word 'maybe' in three tones of voice;Then shown photos of female faces expressing the same three emotions ### 30. while the second focused mainly on voice tones and 30_____ . while the second focused mainly on voice tones and 30_____ . - facial expressions - purposes - printed words - effects - word meanings - gender differences **答案**：word meanings 原文定位：It was found that tone of voice carried more meaning than the individual words ### 31. 31 One limitation of the study was that there were too few subjects involved. 31 One limitation of the study was that there were too few subjects involved. - YES - NO - NOT GIVEN **答案**：YES 原文定位：The first is that the entire study involved only 62 subjects;comparing verbal and non-verbal communication—was determined by only the 37 remaining subjects ### 32. 32 The fact that the subjects in the study came from a similar background was an advantage. 32 The fact that the subjects in the study came from a similar background was an advantage. - YES - NO - NOT GIVEN **答案**：NO 原文定位：All were female undergraduates who participated as part of their introductory psychology course, and their ages and academic qualifications seem remarkably uniform. Thus, the findings may simply be a product of the nature of the sample 同义替换：「subjects from a similar background」↔「ages and academic qualifications seem remarkably uniform」；「advantage」↔「findings may simply be a product of the nature of the sample」 ### 33. 33 The two experiments should have been carried out in a different order. 33 The two experiments should have been carried out in a different order. - YES - NO - NOT GIVEN **答案**：NOT GIVEN ### 34. 34 The researchers' choice of a neutral word was helpful in the context of the study. 34 The researchers' choice of a neutral word was helpful in the context of the study. - YES - NO - NOT GIVEN **答案**：NO 原文定位：The researchers intentionally used a "neutral" word so naturally, the subjects found little meaning there. Clearly, such a methodology lacks validity 同义替换：「choice of a neutral word was helpful」↔「lacks validity」；「in the context of the study」↔「methodology」 ### 35. 35 The study would have been more valid if it had included a range of languages. 35 The study would have been more valid if it had included a range of languages. - YES - NO - NOT GIVEN **答案**：NOT GIVEN ### 36. 36 What does the writer say about the numerical precision of Mehrabian's study? 36 What does the writer say about the numerical precision of Mehrabian's study? - It makes the claims more attractive. - It is the strongest point of the study. - It will appeal to superstitious people. - It allows comparison between languages. **答案**：It makes the claims more attractive. 原文定位：Clearly, one appealing aspect of the Mehrabian study is its numerical precision 同义替换：「makes the claims more attractive」↔「one appealing aspect」 ### 37. 37 What does the writer say about the popularity of the 7-38-55 formula? 37 What does the writer say about the popularity of the 7-38-55 formula? - It is unlikely to maintain its present status. - It is leading to an undervaluing of language. - It should be applied in a more practical way. - It may help understanding of non-verbal messages. **答案**：It is leading to an undervaluing of language. 原文定位：Mehrabian himself believes his research should not be interpreted to devalue the role of language in communication 同义替换：「leading to an undervaluing of」↔「devalue the role of」 ### 38. 38 What point is Bradley making about language learning? 38 What point is Bradley making about language learning? - Language could be learned more efficiently than it is. - More research is needed into attitudes to communication. - More should be spent looking at tone and body language. - Language must be important since we make an effort to acquire it. **答案**：Language must be important since we make an effort to acquire it. 原文定位：If we could communicate 93% of information and attitudes with vocal and facial cues, it would be wasteful to spend time learning a language 同义替换：「must be important」↔「it would be wasteful to」；「since we make an effort to acquire it」↔「spend time learning a language」 ### 39. 39 What does Mehrabian himself say about his findings? 39 What does Mehrabian himself say about his findings? - They are relevant to only one area of communication. - It is only in maths that 100% of communication is verbal. - Feelings are more difficult to communicate than numerical facts. - Non-verbal communication is the main part of the message. **答案**：They are relevant to only one area of communication. 原文定位：Please remember that all my findings dealt with communications of feelings and attitudes 同义替换：「relevant to only one area」↔「all my findings dealt with」 ### 40. 40 What is the writer's purpose in the paragraph beginning To be fair...? 40 What is the writer's purpose in the paragraph beginning To be fair...? - to justify the strong points of Mehrabian's study. - to outline other research on non-verbal behaviour. - to present varying interpretations of Mehrabian's study. - to show that textbooks tend to ignore non-verbal behaviour. **答案**：to present varying interpretations of Mehrabian's study. 原文定位：many textbook writers attempt to be faithful to the context of Mehrabian's research;Others try to play down the specific percentages;nonetheless, other textbook authors simply use the numbers without placing any limits --- 以上内容由鸭圈雅思真题库（www.yaquan.site）提供，收录近期雅思考试真题回忆，支持在线机考模式免费练习。