Table 1.

Cues available in different communication mediums.

Medium	(A) Literal Message	(B) Shared environment	(C) Auditory	(D) Other sensory cues	(E) Facial expression	(F) Eye contact	(G) Body language
Real life	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Skype	✓	–	✓	✓	✓	–	✓/–
Phone	✓	–	✓	–	–	–	–
Email	✓	–	–	–	–	–	–

Depending on the type of communication medium, more is transmitted than just the literal, “cold” message (A). Apart from interfering visual or auditory delays, one large difference between real life interactions and interactions via other mediums is the being versus not being in the same environment, both in terms of time and place (B). In addition, during email contact, one misses out upon important auditory cues such as the tone of voice of the interaction partner, and his intonation or use of sarcasm which might change the meaning of the literal message (C). Apart from auditory cues, other sensory information such as smell and touch might impact on how the literal message is transferred and interpreted (D). The face, its expression and autonomic signals that are visible in it provide important cues about the emotional state of the interaction partner such as intensity or genuineness (E). Eye-contact is very important during interactions and is impossible via modern communication mediums (F). Body language and autonomic signals visible from the body reveal important emotional information (G).