When your words and facial expression match, how do you typically appear to others?

• A. You appear genuine and congruent.
• B. You appear confused and inconsistent.
• C. You appear indifferent and unemotional.
• D. You appear deceptive and untrustworthy.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of congruence in psychology, which refers to the alignment or harmony between a person's verbal communication (words) and nonverbal communication (such as facial expressions).
2. Recognize that when words and facial expressions match, it means the person is expressing the same emotion or message through both channels, creating consistency.
3. Consider how others perceive this consistency: when verbal and nonverbal cues align, people tend to view the individual as authentic and sincere.
4. Contrast this with situations where words and facial expressions do not match, which can lead to perceptions of confusion, deception, or emotional detachment.
5. Conclude that matching words and facial expressions typically make a person appear genuine and congruent to others.