Supervision in the Hospitality Industry- AHLEI Practice Test

The most common form of nonverbal communication involves:

1. A. Facial expressions

2. B. Self-disclosure

3. C. Mirroring

4. D. Paraphrasing

The correct answer is: A. Facial expressions

Facial expressions are recognized as the most common form of nonverbal communication because they convey emotions, intentions, and reactions instantly and universally. Our facial expressions can reveal joy, sadness, anger, surprise, and many other feelings without the need for words. Research highlights that people often derive a significant amount of interpersonal understanding from how someone looks emotionally, which makes this type of nonverbal cue incredibly powerful. In contrast, self-disclosure involves sharing personal information and experiences verbally, which is a different aspect of communication that does not fall into the nonverbal category. Mirroring, while a valid form of nonverbal communication that can enhance rapport and empathy, is not as universally recognized or prevalent as facial expressions. Paraphrasing is also a verbal technique used to reflect back what someone else has said, but it does not represent nonverbal communication at all. Thus, the emphasis on facial expressions as the most common form of nonverbal communication reflects their critical role in human interactions.