Communication stimuli in the image

Verbal, non-verbal and mixed stimuli.

For perception to be formed, our body continuously emits three types of signals.

Verbal stimuli include everything related to the spoken and written word, as well as tone of voice.

Interestingly, they are the easiest to control through learning and public speaking.

However, they carry less weight than nonverbal stimuli, which encompass gestures, posture, gaze and movement.

These are difficult to consciously manipulate and, therefore, the speaker tends to rely more on them, as they reveal emotional truth.

Finally, mixed stimuli occur when both channels operate simultaneously, as in a face-to-face conversation.

In these situations, consistency is key: if our words say one thing but our body shouts another, the receiver will always prioritize what they see over what they hear.

Visual impact: "As you are seen, so you are treated".

The sense of sight is the most dominant sense in the human species, influencing the vast majority of our daily decisions (estimated at over 80%).

This visual predominance gives rise to the social axiom that the treatment we receive is a direct reflection of the appearance we project.

This is not superficiality, but a biological mechanism of rapid classification.

Our clothing acts as a signaling system that communicates data about our gender, age, social status and even personality before we utter a word.

If a person projects carelessness or aggressiveness through his or her attire, the environment will react with rejection or instinctive caution.

Therefore, dressing appropriately is not only aesthetic, it is a strategic communication tool.

Coherence between essence and appearance

A successful image is not a disguise, but an amplification of the real identity. There must be total alignment between who we are internally (our essence) and how we present ourselves externally.

If we try to project something we are not, we create a dissonance that the observer unconsciously detects as "noise" or lack of authenticity.

For example, if a professional wishes to project authority but his posture is stooped and his dress is sloppy, the message is lost.

Authenticity requires that our actions and aesthetics support our inner values.

As the saying goes, our actions (and our appearance is a constant action) should speak so loudly that there is no need to explain who we are.

Summary

To form perception, we emit verbal, nonverbal and mixed stimuli. The nonverbal ones carry more weight and generate trust, as they reveal the emotional truth that is difficult to manipulate.

Visual impact is dominant, influencing 80% of daily decisions. Clothing acts as a quick signaling system, communicating status and personality before speaking.

There must be total coherence between internal essence and external appearance. If we project something false, it creates a dissonance that the observer unconsciously detects as a lack of authenticity.