OSH Security Practice Test

Which of the following items best describes paraverbal communication?

1. Tone, pitch, cadence and pacing

2. Volume of the voice

3. Body language

4. Firmness in direct proportion to the level of resistance received

The correct answer is: Tone, pitch, cadence and pacing

The correct answer identifies that paraverbal communication primarily relates to the aspects of how something is said rather than the content of what is said. Paraverbal elements include tone, pitch, cadence, and pacing, which all influence the emotional context and meaning of verbal communication. These aspects can significantly affect how the message is perceived by the listener, indicating emotions such as enthusiasm, sarcasm, or urgency, and are crucial in enhancing or altering a message's meaning. While volume of the voice is a component of paraverbal communication, it is more limited in scope. Body language falls under nonverbal communication, which is distinct from paraverbal communication, and firmness in direct proportion to resistance is more about negotiation techniques rather than a direct feature of how words are conveyed. Therefore, the first choice encapsulates the holistic elements of paraverbal communication the best.