Peer Review

You are contagious | Vanessa Van Edwards | TEDxLondon

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Dec 30, 2022 by Psychology

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

The learning material is a Ted Talk by interpersonal intelligence expert Vanessa Van Edwards. In her talk, Ms. Van Edwards explains how nonverbal behavior -- hand gestures, microexpressions, verbal variety -- changes the way that others perceive our confidence (along with other emotions) and, in turn, how these perceptions directly affect them. The facial feedback hypothesis is specifically addressed.

Video length: approximately 18 minutes.

Type of Material:

Presentation: Ted Talk Video

Recommended Uses:

The presentation can be used as homework, in-class discussion, or lecture. Discussion should address how the presented research findings can help us in social gatherings to be more effective and more memorable and to reflect on how we present ourselves to the world.

Technical Requirements:

Two peer reviewers successfully used multiple browsers (Google Chrome, Safari) to access the Ted Talk video.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

This Ted Talk describes how we can build our own confidence and other positive emotions as well as how these outcomes can be infectious with respect to others.

Learners will understand how our nonverbal behavior (such as hand gestures) impacts the way that others perceive us.
Learners will understand how our nonverbal behavior emotionally impacts the receiver.
Learners will understand "microexpressions."
Learners will understand the facial feedback hypothesis.

Target Student Population:

Middle School, High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

None.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

Van Edwards discusses how nonverbal behavior (such as hand gestures) impacts others and becomes “contagious.” She provides three different examples based on research and theory (facial feedback hypothesis). Every day recommendations for promoting optimism are shared.
This information goes beyond just reading body language and facial expressions and delves into the side effect of how our nonverbal behavior influences how others interact with us. Positive outcomes such as the following are underscored.
- We can create confidence in ourselves, and at the same time our behavior can create confidence in others.
- We can build conversations that will create greater connections and make us more memorable.
- We can increase excitement in others.

Concerns:

Several times the speaker seems to equate the term facial expressions with microexpressions. They are not equivalent. Paul Ekman has presented prior research suggesting seven (7) universal facial expressions made up of microexpressions.
It would have been helpful to separate experimental evidence from correlational findings from conjecture (e.g., we do not know that cavemen first looked at hands).

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

Overall, the main point of how to spread positive emotions and confidence is presented with clear, memorable examples.
The overriding concept (e.g., impact of nonverbal behavior) is clearly presented at the beginning of the talk. The presenter then builds on the initial concept with real-world examples that have been verified with research.

Concerns:

The learning objectives are not made explicit though they are implied throughout the talk. Instructors who use this Ted Talk in class will want to develop clear objectives that allow the material to be more integrated into an assignment and assessed (measurable).

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

The talk is presented as a YouTube video that can be watched via browser or the YouTube app.
The video and audio are clear and appealing.
Closed captioning is available, and closed captioning in English worked well.
The audience is asked to practice a facial expression, an activity that provides a strong visual representation of covered concepts.

Concerns:

None.

Other Issues and Comments:: This Ted Talk does does not provide instructions on how to integrate content into curriculum. Instructors will want to provide learning objectives (see the section above entitled "Learning Goals") as well as develop additional learning activities (e.g., quiz or discussion questions).
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