How much meaning is conveyed through tone of voice?

The correct answer is that tone of voice conveys about 35% of the meaning in communication. This concept is rooted in the study of non-verbal communication, which suggests that a significant portion of interpersonal communication is transmitted not just through words but also through how those words are delivered. Tone of voice encompasses aspects such as pitch, volume, and inflection, which can convey emotions and attitudes that may not be explicitly stated through words alone.

This percentage highlights the importance of how something is said, alongside the content of the message. For instance, a person might say "I am happy for you" in a flat, monotone voice versus an enthusiastic and upbeat tone. The latter conveys a stronger sentiment of genuine happiness, demonstrating how tone can heavily influence the listener's reception and interpretation of the message.

In contrast, the other figures given do not accurately reflect the established understanding of verbal and non-verbal communication’s impact. Higher percentages would imply an even greater dominance of tone over actual words than current research supports.