According to communication studies, what percentage of communication is nonverbal?

Nonverbal communication plays a crucial role in the overall process of conveying messages. Research often emphasizes that a significant portion of communication—estimated at around 90%—is nonverbal. This includes body language, facial expressions, gestures, posture, and even tone of voice. These nonverbal cues can reinforce, contradict, or complement verbal messages, impacting the way a message is interpreted.

In many contexts, the reliance on nonverbal communication becomes especially apparent. For instance, in high-stakes situations like fire and emergency services, being able to read a person's nonverbal signals can enhance understanding and response to urgent situations. This understanding underlines the necessity of training professionals to be keen observers of nonverbal cues, as they can provide critical context beyond spoken words.

The other options reflect lower percentages of nonverbal communication, which do not capture the broader consensus in numerous studies that highlight the dominance of nonverbal cues in effective communication. Hence, recognizing that a large majority of communication is nonverbal allows instructors and students in emergency services to better appreciate how to convey and interpret messages in high-pressure environments.