Identify Intention
A commercial claims, "Our vitamins will make you run twice as fast in just 3 days!" Is the intent Genuine, Self-Serving/Manipulative, or Fact-Based?
Self-Serving / Manipulative
Someone says "Oh, fantastic!" with a flat, low voice and an eye roll after dropping their pencil. Is it geunine, self-serving, sarcastic?
What is Sarcasm / They are frustrated?
Someone is smiling, keeping open posture, and leaning in slightly while talking to you. What are they likley feeling?
What excited/happy?
A local news reporter states, "Rain is expected to fall between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM today." Is the intent Fact-Based, Self-Serving, or Manipulative?
What is Fact-Based?
A classmate says, "You have such an awesome desk next to the window! Since I'm your friend, why don't we trade seats for the rest of the year?"Is it geunine, self-serving, sarcastic?
What is Self-Serving?
Someone agrees to help you move boxes, but they have crossed arms, a tight mouth, and avoid eye contact. What intent or feeling are they showing?
What is frustrated/annoyed/reluctant?
A friend sitting next to you says, "I noticed you looked upset during lunch, do you want to talk about it?" Is the intent Genuine, Self-Serving, or Fact-Based?
What is Genuine?
A friend says in a soft, gentle voice: "Take your time, there’s no rush." Is it geunine, self-serving, sarcastic?
What is Genuine?
A classmate looks around the room constantly and fidgets with their hands while offering you a compliment. What might this non-verbal behavior signal, what feeling?
What is nervous?
A classmate says, "You’re so good at math! Hey, can you just do these last 5 problems on my homework for me?" What is the communicative intent?
What is Self-Serving / Manipulative?
Identify the intent: An ad says "Act NOW! Only 2 items left before they are gone forever!" Is it geunine, self-serving, sarcastic?
What is Manipulative / Self-Serving? (
A classmate offers to help you with a project, but they are looking around the room constantly, tapping their foot, and fidgeting with their hands. What underlying feeling does this body language signal?
What is anxiety, impatience, distracted?
An online review reads: "I bought these shoes, but the sole tore after two days. Here are photos of the damage." Is the intent Fact-Based/Genuine or Self-Serving?
What is Fact-Based / Genuine?
A co-worker walks up to your desk puts a large stack of files on your desk and say "Can you files these documents, I need to go pick up my son at school, thanks!", you don't normally file documents and you have a meeting in 10 minutes.
What is Manipulative/Self-Serving?
A peer says with a tone "Great job on that play!" but they avoid eye contact, have a forced/tight-lipped smile, and immediately turn their back to walk away. What communicative intent or feeling does this combination of non-verbal cues reveal?
What is Sarcastic?; Forced smile and turning body away contradict the supportive words