Environmental cues and how
they influence communication
Definition : Environmental cues are cues around a person that inform
them what is happening and how to respond.
• The three environmental cues and their impact on the expectations of individuals when
it comes to communication are as follows:
• Lighting: Communication is impacted by the lighting of the place where the
conversation takes place. Depending on the level of brightness of the light, the ambiance
of the setting also changes. For example, if a place is poorly lit, it might lead to
misunderstanding the facial expressions of people. If they use sign language or the use of
hands to convey meaning, dim lighting might lead to breakage in proper communication.
On the other hand, if the light is too bright, it might cause a feeling of intimidation
among the individuals. Lower light settings are used for more intimate conversations
with people who know each other well. So, proper lighting is a major part of
communication as it affects the expectations of individuals.
Place/ Territory
• This aspect indicates the use of space between two people to
communicate things. For example, if a person stands close to the
other, it means that they are comfortable with each other and are
friends o acquaintances. But if there is a considerable gap between
these individuals, it indicates that the conversation is more formal in
nature.
Sound
• The sound present in an environment says a lot about the
conversation that is about to take place between individuals. If the
place chosen for the communication is loud, it would indicate that the
topic of conversation is informal and not so important. But if the
place chosen is silent, the conversation can be of a more serious or
critical note.
Environment that too hot or cold cause discomfort. Environments
that lack privacy discourage people from expressing their feelings and
problems. Some other examples of it is:- health issues, speaking
slowlyand electronic devices.