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Nonverbal Communication and Affectivity: A Scale for Detecting Emotions Through Nonverbal Behavior

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Abstract

Nonverbal communication (NVC) has direct implications on our relationships, emotions, interactions, and mental health and so does affectivity. However, affectivity as an aspect of NVC has not been explored. The present study figured out the relationship between NVC and affectivity by developing a measure to determine the factors comprising these variables. From the 26 items in the NVCA scale, 6 factors emerged and were divided equally between NVC and affectivity. Results clearly manifested a strong positive correlation between NVC and affectivity. The NVCA scale showed satisfactory reliability and validity. Thus, this study will help to develop interventions in the private and public domain to build healthier relationships, emotions, and interactions.

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The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Abbreviations

NVC:

Nonverbal communication

NVCA:

Nonverbal communication and affectivity

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Funding

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

SMK did the statistical analysis on the collected data; MA formulated the idea, collected data and developed the whole manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mariyam Abbas.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

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NVCA

NVCA

Instructions: Against each statement written below five options are given. These options are representing to the five response categories, viz., Never-1, Seldom-2, Sometimes-3, Very Often-4 and Always-5. You are requested to put a tick mark (√) on any one of the five alternative response categories, which represents your feeling truly.

S. no

Items

Never

1

Seldom

2

Sometimes

3

Very often

4

Always

5

1

He uses his hands and arms to gesture while talking to people

     

2

He touches others on the shoulder or arm while talking to them

     

3

He uses a monotone or dull voice while taking to people

     

4

He looks over or away from others while talking to them

     

5

He moves away from others when they touch him while they are talking

     

6

He has a relaxed body position when he talks to people

     

7

He frowns while talking to people

     

8

He avoids eye contact while talking to people

     

9

He has a tense body position while talking to people

     

10

He sits close or stands close to people while talking with them

     

11

His voice is monotonous or dull when he talks to people

     

12

He uses a variety of vocal expression when he talks to people

     

13

He gestures when he talks to people

     

14

He is animated when he talks to people

     

15

He has a bland facial expression when he talks to people

     

16

He moves closer to people when he talks to them

     

17

He looks directly at people while talking to them

     

18

He is stiff when he talks to people

     

19

He has a lot of vocal variety when he talks to people

     

20

He avoids gesturing while talking to people

     

21

He leans toward people when he talks to them

     

22

He maintains eye contact with people while he talks to them

     

23

He tries not to sits close or stands close to people while talks with them

     

24

He leans away from people when he talks to them

     

25

He smiles when he talks to people

     

26

He avoid touching people when he talks to them

     

Name: …………………………………………………………………………………………

Age: ………………….

Education: ……………….

Gender: Male/female

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Abbas, M., Khan, S.M. Nonverbal Communication and Affectivity: A Scale for Detecting Emotions Through Nonverbal Behavior. Psychol Stud 68, 472–480 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-023-00714-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-023-00714-w

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