By David Schneer
3-Minute Read
Misinterpretations That Occur When We Ignore the Bigger Picture
Examine the LinkedIn literary corpus regarding communications, including body language, and very little discussion is devoted to the most important aspect of any interchange—context.
Context is to communications and nonverbal intelligence what location is to real estate.
What is context? It is the link between the circumstances and background of a certain event, statement, or behavior that gives it meaning.
Why Context Matters
Bereft of context, it is easy to misconstrue behavior and assign meaning and labels that do not exist. For example, suppose you get a text from a contact after a heated exchange that reads: “I’m fine.” You could easily mistake the intended meaning of that statement, depending on whether it’s accompanied by a smiley face emoji or not. That is, depending on the context.
Let’s Go Deeper
In my research studies, when a participant tells me that the concept they just evaluated “is fine”—my Spidey senses tingle. What do they mean by fine? Are they really fine, or is that a “Hemingwayesque“ use of the term? Referred to as the “Iceberg” theory, Ernest Hemingway frequently used the word “fine” in his writings to convey a sheen of calmness or normalcy that typically hides more complex emotions.
An example of this is in Hemingway’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls” when Catherine Barkley says “I’m fine” during dire pregnancy complications. Catherine’s use of the phrase “I’m fine” shields Frederic from her fears, providing a false sense of control over her vulnerability. This is seen repeatedly in numerous Hemingway works such as The Sun Also Rises, The Old Man and the Sea, and the short story “Hills Like White Elephants.”
But it is not just words that provide context; body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, and guttural utterances all provide additional meaning to a situation. This is why a sarcastic text might get misconstrued without any tone of voice to provide meaning.
Why Context is Crucial in Body Language
Apart from facial micro-expressions, not all body language gestures are universal. That is, the same gesture can mean different things depending on the cultural, situational, and relational context.
Take, for example, eye contact. Strong eye contact is associated with trust and confidence in Western culture. However, in some Asian cultures, it may be perceived as disrespectful or confrontational.
When does a yes mean no? In most cultures, a nod indicates agreement. But in some parts of India or Bulgaria, it can mean disagreement.
So, how does taking things out of context lead to misunderstanding? Suppose you see a picture of a person at a conference, and they are in “mid-yawn.” Does that mean the conference was boring? Would it change your impression of the picture to know that the subject simply had a poor night’s rest? This is what happens when you ignore context. You jump to conclusions and snap judgements, leading to potentially unnecessary conflict.
Confirmation Bias
Part of the reason it is so easy to misjudge is what is known as the Confirmation Bias theory. This theory posits that we interpret body language and words through our own expectations. If we already believe someone is upset, we might interpret their body language as a sign of anger.
(Note: The next blog will delve deeper into the intricacies of Confirmation Bias).
Tips for Interpreting Body Language in Context
Meanwhile, here are some tips to observe body language in context.
Look for clusters of clues—don’t rely on a single gesture; rather, look for multiple signals together.
Consider the environment: How a person acts is often a result of the environment they are in. A person may be nervous at job interview but likely chill at their friend’s house. Make the environment as comfortable as possible.
Factor in the relationship: People react differently when they are with close friends, colleagues, or strangers. Familiarity changes the interpretation of body language (e.g., are they playfully teasing each other, or is this a genuine annoyance).
The Role of Context in Digital Communication: Be careful about communicating via email or text, as body language and facial expressions are absent, thereby limiting context and increasing the chances of misinterpretation. Sure, Emojis can help, but they can’t fully replicate true non-verbal cues.
The Power of Context
In summary, it is critical to be mindful of context when interpreting any communications. Pause before you assume until you are sure of the context.
It is a good exercise to reflect on a time when you may have misunderstood someone due to lack of context. How would you handle that today?
Curious about how context shapes your understanding of body language in market research interviews? At Merrill Research, we specialize in uncovering the deeper meaning behind nonverbal cues and their impact on communication. Contact us today to learn more about applying these insights to your next study!