Social cue.

A social cue is a means of communicating that does not rely on words, rather it involves using non-verbal signals including facial expressions, voice tone, and body movements and placement. Although display of social cues is universal among all humans, the meaning behind specific cues can vary among cultures. Personality, neurological health, and comfort level around other people also affect an individual’s display and interpretation of a social cue. Because humans rely on them to understand other people and predict future interactions, social cues are a critical part of communication. Social cues guide a person’s impressions, interactions, and overall understanding and belonging in a society, so in some ways, they may be as or more important than verbal communication.