1. Social cognition is the process by which we think about and make sense of people. It includes the perception, interpretation, and recall of information about others and ourselves. One channel through which we collect information is nonverbal. We usually become fully aware of nonverbal information only when it violates our expectations.

2. Questions to consider

A. Are there gender differences in interpreting nonverbal cues?
B. To what extent are the display and interpretation of nonverbal information dependent on one’s culture?
C. What do nonverbal cues reveal about the status of the people involved?

3. Eye contact: Functions of gaze

A. Regulating conversation

B. Providing feedback: Like and dislike, intensity

C. Expressing emotions

4. Facial expressions

A. Universal emotions
B. Display rules

5. Body movements and gestures

A. Illustrators accompany spoken language.
B. Emblems substitute for spoken language.

6. Touch

A. Communicated messages

B. Gender differences in interpretation of touch

7. Interpersonal distance

A. Distance zones: Intimate, personal, social, public
B. Cross-cultural variation

8. Detecting when others are trying to deceive us