From deception to charisma: what people look for when studying nonverbal communication

Abstract

The growing social interest in nonverbal communication (NVC) has led to an abundance of courses and materials, often based on simplified or inaccurate ideas. This study addresses the problem of understanding what truly motivates the general public to engage with NVC and what expectations they hold about it. The objective was to identify and categorize the main areas of interest and motivation related to this field. A structured survey was administered to 438 participants of different ages, educational levels, and regions of Argentina. Results indicate that the predominant interest is lie detection (82%), followed by gesture interpretation, improvement of communication skills, and strengthening of personal confidence. Although most respondents lack prior training, more than half expressed willingness to invest in further education. The study concludes that NVC occupies a central place in contemporary collective imagination, linked both to the desire for protection against deception and to the pursuit of more effective and empathetic relationships. These findings highlight the need for accessible, ethically grounded, and audience-centered educational approaches.