Gen Y Women & the Workplace [Infographic]

March 13, 2012 coms 0

The following infographic by Accenture sums up the ways in which Generation Y women differ from women of earlier generations in the workplace and details the ways in which they resemble those who came before them. For example, the majority of young women expect to be treated equally in the workplace. However, they are still much less likely to ask a superior for a raise than men of the same age.

Learning to Distinguish Between Literal and Contextual Meaning [Study]

March 11, 2012 coms 0

When a speaker makes a truthful statement that implies an untruth, what do listeners hear? Are they able to see beyond the false implications and uncover the unvarnished truth? Can people divorce themselves from the context of a statement well enough to hear what is really being said, or do some words carry such strong implications that people cannot see past them?

Don’t Export Your American Hand Gestures [Infographic]

March 8, 2012 coms 0

As powerful as gestures are, however, their meanings are not always universal. Gestures often remain the same across cultures but carry dramatically different meanings and connotations. Use the following infographic to learn more about common American hand gestures and their meanings in different parts of the world.

Pass the Milk: Is That a Question or an Order?

February 22, 2012 coms 0

A new study from the University of Portsmouth in Great Britain provides insight into the differences between the ways in which native English speakers and native Polish speakers use language during day-to-day interactions with family. The researchers hope their findings will lead to a greater understanding between members of the two groups and reduce misunderstandings based on cultural differences.

How to Tell If Someone Is Lying On Their Online Dating Profile

February 21, 2012 coms 1

Stories about perfect online dates who bear no resemblance to their online profiles have become fodder for television sitcom plots, late-night punch lines and, unfortunately, crime headlines. Whether these examples reflect the reality of the online dating world or simply the public’s anxieties and fears regarding online matchmaking, the truth remains that online daters can easily get away with lying about themselves for at least as long as it takes to get a foot in the door.

Confirmation Bias Is False, Says Study

February 10, 2012 coms 0

A study suggests the thought that political partisans only immerse themselves in media which reinforce their beliefs may be unfounded. They discovered that even the most partisan readers visit mainstream news sites, as well as partisan sites that express views that oppose their own.

The Art of Wearable Communication [Video]

February 9, 2012 coms 0

Kate Hartman shares with her audience her observations and personal sense of wonder about the ways in which humans communicate with themselves, with others and with the world around them in the context of modern technological advances.

Physical Attraction More Important than Many Realize [Study]

February 8, 2012 coms 0

Most people will tell you what they prefer in a car or a house or a career, and for the most part, these preferences will predict which car or house or career they will choose. However, when people claim that physical attractiveness does not factor into their search for a partner, their claim may be less accurate in predicting who they will be attracted to.