Transcript Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal Communication
 Definition
 Components
 Power
and functions of nonverbal
 Types of nonverbal comm.
Definition
 “Oral
or nonoral messages
expressed by other than
linguistic means” (Adler &
Rodman, 2003, p. 150).
Nonverbal can be…
 Perceived
by sender or receiver, or
 Intended as a message by the
sender, or
 Interpreted by the receiver as
intended.
(Trenholm & Jensen, 2000)
Characteristics of
Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal Communication Exists
–
–

You can interpret others’ feelings
No formal training needed to do this
Nonverbal Behavior Has Communicative
Value
–
–
–
You cannot not communicate (think about this)
We aren’t always aware of what we are
communicating nonverbally
Not everyone can interpret nonverbal clues
Characteristics of
Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication assists with:
– Identity management
 the
Presenting Self
 How we want others to view us
Defining relationships
– Conveying emotions
– Difficult to convey ideas nonverbally
–
Components, cont.

Nonverbal comm. is ambiguous
–
Difficult to interpret accurately
Some emotions are easier to decode accurately than
others
–
SADFISH & L
–








Sadness
Anger
Disgust
Fear
Interest
Surprise
Happiness
Love
Components, cont.
 Better
senders of nonverbal
messages are better receivers
 Decoding ability can be learned
Extroverts better than dogmatics
– Women better than men
– No one has 100% accuracy
–
Components, cont.

Considerations when decoding NVC
–
–
–
–
Context (situation)
History of relationship with sender
Other’s mood at the time
Your feelings

NV messages are CLUES not fact

Nonverbal comm. is culture bound
Verbal vs. Nonverbal
 Nonverbal
communication
operates on multiple channels
 Nonverbal communication is
continuous and never ending
 Nonverbal communication can be
unconscious
The Power of Nonverbal Codes
(Trenholm & Jensen, 2000)





Nonverbal codes are given more credence
and are more trusted than verbal codes.
Nonverbal codes are more emotionally
powerful.
Nonverbal codes express more universal
meaning.
Nonverbal codes are continuous and natural.
Nonverbal codes occur in clusters.
Functions of Nonverbal

Repeating
–

Substituting
–

Emblems: deliberate nonverbal behaviors that have precise
meanings known to everyone within a culture group.
“Wave” or “Nod”
Emblems can replace a verbal message
Complementing
–
Nonverbal behavior matches verbal message

–
Sincere apology
Tone of voice and appropriate facial expression
Illustrators

Scratching head when trying to think of something
Functions of Nonverbal

Accenting
–

Regulating
–

Taking turns speaking has a pattern that we understand
when it is our turn to talk, e.g. pauses, tone of voice
Contradicting
–
–

Pointing your finger at someone when making a point
Mixed messages
Nonverbal message is believed more than verbal message
Deceiving
–
–
–
Not all deception is self-serving or malicious – Face saving
High self-monitors are usually better at deception
People whose jobs require them to act differently than they
feel are better at it: actors, lawyers, diplomats, salespeople
Types of Nonverbal Comm.

Posture
–
–
–

Kinesics: the study of body movements, gesture and
posture.
Mirroring posture makes good impression
Posture reveals one’s vulnerability to violence
Gestures
–
–
–
–
Fundamental behavior that even people blind from birth use
gestures
Manipulators: Movements in which one part of the body
touches another body part
Using manipulators is often a sign of discomfort – but not
always
Also used when one is relaxed and lets guard down
Types of Nonverbal, cont.

Face
–
Very complicated to discern facial expressions



High number of facial expressions
Facial expressions change quickly
Affect blends: showing two emotions simultaneously
–
Fearful and surprised
– Disgusted and angry

Eyes
–
–
–
Eye Contact
“The Window to the Soul”
Cultural differences
Types of Nonverbal, cont.

Voice
 Paralanguage: nonverbal vocal messages
that reinforce or contradict our words







Tone
Speed
Pitch
Volume
Pauses: Number and length
Disfluencies (stammering, fillers “Like”)
Sarcasm
Types of Nonverbal, cont.

Touch
–
–
a.k.a. Haptics
Babies died from lack of touching

–
Disease called “Marasmus” means wasting away
Touch increases a child’s mental functioning and
physical health
Types of Nonverbal, cont.

Physical Attractiveness
–
–
–
–
People prefer others who they find attractive
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Three year olds already have opinions
What can we do to be perceived as more attractive?





Posture
Gestures
Facial expressions
Physical fitness
Choice of clothing
Types of Nonverbal, cont.

Clothing
–
–
Conveys economic status, education level, social
status moral standards, athletic ability and/or
interests, belief system, level of sophistication
We make assumptions about people based on
clothing choices



Flying on airplanes and courtesy of airline personnel
Interviews
Dates

Distance
–
Proxemics: the study of the way people and
animals use space




Intimate distance: Skin to 18 inches
Personal distance: 18 inches to four feet
Social distance:
4 feet to 12 feet
Public distance: 12 feet to 25 feet
Types of nonverbal, cont.

Time
–
–
Chronemics
Cultural rules


–
Polychronic
Monochronic
Geographic or Situational rules
Types of nonverbal, cont.

Territoriality
–
–
–
Fixed Space (room, house, neighborhood,
country)
Not all territory is permanent – library, computer
lab
Power and status relationships


Knocking before entering
More and/or better space is expected for higher status
personnel
Types of nonverbal, cont.

Environmental
–
Reflects Interaction



Research: Photos of upper-middle-class homes
Communicated accurate information about the
homeowners: intellectualism, politeness, maturity,
optimism, tenseness, willingness to risk, family
orientations, and reservedness
Home exteriors: Artistic interests, graciousness, privacy
and quietness
Types of nonverbal, cont.

Environmental
–
Shapes Interaction


Research: Workers feel better and are more productive
in attractive environment
Building design shapes communication
–

Cubicles, Open Space, Offices
Use of space tells much about a person
–
–
Want privacy
Open to others