Social Sleuths Game: Decode the Vibe!

Instructions: Read each scenario carefully. Discuss with your group: What social cues (body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, situation) are present? What might the people be feeling or thinking? What would be an appropriate response?

Card 1: The Group Project

Your group is working on a project. One member, Liam, is sitting with his arms crossed, frowning, and looking at the ceiling while another group member is explaining their idea. He hasn't said anything in a while.

Social Cues:



What Liam might be feeling/thinking:



Appropriate response from you:

Card 2: The New Kid

There's a new student, Maya, in your class. During lunch, she's sitting alone at a table, looking down at her phone, and occasionally glancing around the cafeteria. She hasn't made eye contact with anyone.

Social Cues:



What Maya might be feeling/thinking:



Appropriate response from you:

Card 3: The Inside Joke

You walk into a conversation where two friends are laughing loudly about something you don't understand. They stop laughing and look at you, then quickly look at each other and giggle again.

Social Cues:



What they might be feeling/thinking:



Appropriate response from you:

Card 4: The Confused Teacher

Your teacher has just finished explaining a new assignment. They ask, "Any questions?" Most of the class is silent, but you notice a few students exchanging confused glances and slightly shrugging their shoulders.

Social Cues:



What students might be feeling/thinking:



Appropriate response from you:

Card 5: The Awkward Silence

You're at a party, and you're talking to someone new. After a few minutes, the conversation dies down, and there's a long silence. The other person starts looking around the room, fidgeting with their hands, and avoiding eye contact.

Social Cues:



What the other person might be feeling/thinking:



Appropriate response from you:

Decode the Scene: What's Really Going On?

Instructions: Read the short scenario below. Think about all the different social cues you observe – what people are doing, their expressions, and what the situation implies. Then, answer the questions.

Scenario: The Reluctant Study Partner

You asked your classmate, Sarah, if she wanted to study for the upcoming history test together. She responded, "Oh, sure... that sounds... great." She said it slowly, with a slight shrug, and didn't meet your eyes. After she said it, she immediately looked at her phone and started tapping her fingers on the screen.

Questions:

1. What are the key verbal cues (what Sarah said and how she said it)?
   
   
   
2. What are the key non-verbal cues (body language, facial expressions, actions)?
   
   
   
3. Based on all these cues, what do you think Sarah really means or is feeling about studying with you?
   
   
   
4. If you wanted to clarify or respond to Sarah, what could you say or do? (Consider two different approaches.)
   
   
   
   • Approach 1:
     
     
     
   • Approach 2: