Transcript Non Verbal Communication

Non Verbal
Communication
HAPTICS AND OLFACTICS
Questions from the
Reading
1.
What is haptics and how does it differ
among various cutures? Give some
examples from the reading? What touch is
inappropriate in your culture?
2.
What is Olfactics? Why are we
uncomfortable with body odor? How
important is smell in your culture? Give an
example.
3.
How does smell influence our interactions?
Non Verbal
Communication

Nonverbal communication is the process of
communicating through sending and
receiving wordless (mostly visual) cues
between people. It is sometimes mistakenly
referred to as body language (kinesics), but
nonverbal communication encompasses
much more, such as use of touch (haptics)
and distance (proxemics)
Haptics

Haptic communication is a form of
nonverbal communication and the way by
which people and animals communicate
via touching. Touch is the most effective
means to communicate feelings and
emotions.

The withholding of touch may
communicate a variety of negative
feelings.
Touch in animals

Gentling, stroking and touching of newborn
animals.

Licking –to clean the offspring. Also plays
an important role in stimulating the
physiological functions of newborn animals
and therefore contributes to their survival.
Examples…
Touch in Humans

Tactile communication in the early stages
of life may establish the foundation of all
other forms of communications that
humans later develop.

As one grows older, the frequency of touch
decreases.

Touch can sometimes communicate better
than verbal communication.
Categories of Touch

Friendship-Touch –let’s another person
know we care for, value, and have an
interest in her or him. Probably the most
difficult to interpret, both for the receiver of
the touch and the sender.

Boys distance themselves from their parents
at an earlier age than girls. There is more
touching with the same sex parent than
with cross-sex parents.
Examples…
Categories of Touch

Professional-Functional Touch –Managers
should know the effectiveness of using
touch while communicating to
subordinates but need to be cautious and
understand how touch can be
misunderstood. A hand on the shoulder for
one person may mean a supportive
gesture while it could mean a sexual
advance to another person

Appropriate or not?
What emotions are
communicated through
following handshakes?

Friendliness but professional

Informal bond

Thankful or expressing pity

Romantic meaning

Bond or accomplishment
Relevance to Business
Communication

When conducting business in other cultures,
be aware of haptics etiquette. Adapt
yourself to cultural norms of business
partners.

When unsure whether you are dealing with
a non-touch culture or a touch culture, it is
better to avoid touch.
Olfactics
HOW DO YOU SMELL?
Our sense of smell

Human genes are designed to use smell to
detect thousands of compounds.

Smell/scent is not talked about much as it
has a negative connotation

Most cultures try to cover/remove/mask
body odors
How smell influences us

Scent can function as sexual attractant

Idiomatic expressions often involve scent in
a negative way:

I smell a rat

This smells fishy

Research shows smell is associated with
social status/class

People judge other races/cultures based
on their smell.
Smell and interaction

Research shows that the sense of smell is
very important in our interactions with
others.

Many cultures value a fresh/clean smell
saying it contributes to life quality.

Smell can create a sense of bond and unity
How important is smell to
you?

Take the Personal Report of Olfactory
Perception and Sensitivity (PROPS) test