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Communicating Through Objects

Take a moment to examine the objects that you’re wearing and that surround you: jewelry, watch, cell phone, computer, art or posters on the wall, and so forth. These artifacts—the things we possess that influence how we see ourselves and that we use to express our identity to others—constitute another code of nonverbal communication. As with our use of posture and of personal space, we use artifacts to communicate power and status. For example, by displaying expensive watches, cars, or living spaces, people “tell” others that they’re wealthy and influential (Burgoon et al., 1996).