Transcript Non-Verbal Communication

I like the way you move…
…Professionally.
Non-Verbal
Communication
Observing Nonverbal Comm.
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Watch the following clip from Big Bang
Theory up to 5:35.
What nonverbal communication techniques
do Sheldon and Penny utilize during the
“lesson”?
What can you infer about the characters from
what is NOT SAID?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEIn3T
6nDAo
GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication Skills – Week 4 Non Verbal Communication
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Non-Verbal Communication
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Non-verbal communication makes NO use of the
words, sentences, grammar and other structures
that we associate with spoken and written language.
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Non-verbal communication includes:
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Facial expressions
Eye contact
Tone of voice
Body posture and motions
Positioning within groups
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Non-Verbal Communication
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Types of non-verbal communication we are going to
focus on this week:
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Proxemics and Orientation
Eye contact or gaze
Facial expression
Gesture, especially use of hands and arms
Posture
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Why Proxemics is important!
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1. Proxemics
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The study of how we handle the space around us,
especially in relation to other people
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Human beings are territorial!
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How space is occupied reflects the power relations
within groups of people (typically the more powerful a
person, the larger and more impressive the space
they will occupy)
We create for ourselves spaces that belong to us
and to which we try carefully to control access
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Examples:
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Our homes
Our spaces at work or school
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Proxemics - continued
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Proxemics also refers to the space we carry with us in
public places
Invisible bubble around us
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Determined by the situation and by the relationship we
have or might like to have with the person or people who
are near to us
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In crowded place, such as a bus or train
Cultural / religious differences in our attitudes to the
proximity, or nearness, of other people
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Women that are Orthrodox Jewish (very conservative) have to sit
on separate sides of the synagogue during weekly services
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Proxemics - continued
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Consider how spaces are occupied within the
classroom.
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How is the teacher’s space marked?
How do you mark your space in this class? Other classes?
Where would a newcomer or visitor sit?
What do you feel if you are in:
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A crowded bus?
A stadium?
A lonely beach?
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Proxemics - continued
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Orientation is closely linked to proxemics
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The way in which people place themselves relative to one
another
Example: When someone comes sits next to you, it is
generally seen as a much friendlier orientation (closeness)
than someone who sits directly opposite (potentially
confrontational) to you.
Consider…
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Why do we feel uncomfortable when someone stands
behind us?
How do you feel when I stand next to you while I am
teaching? What about if I sit down next to you to talk about
an assignment?
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Eye Contact: Why we look where!
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2. Eye Contact
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Eye Contact is an important way in which we
communicate our feelings towards other people
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Although people may hide the truth with words, their true
feelings will be revealed in their eyes
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Communicates honesty, interest, and allows you to gauge a
person’s interest in a conversation
However eye contact has some degree of ambiguity about its
meaning (has the opposite meaning)
Good eye contact includes:
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Alert eyes (shows awareness)
Looking another person straight in the eye when speaking
(shows honesty)
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Eye Contact - continued
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We are deeply suspicious of people who ‘cannot look
us in the eye’; they are seen as shifty or people with
something to hide
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People can avoid eye contact with other person when:
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Staring is identified as threatening form of behavior
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An uncomfortable question asked.
Want to reduce tension and build trust rather than increase tension.
If we staring at someone, their behavior will often change and
can become either defensive or aggressive towards you
Gazing – look steadily; men gaze at women, sometimes
in intimidating way
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3. Facial Expression
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Human face has a complex arrangement of muscles that
allows us to produce a range of expressions, most of
which are an index of our feelings (happy, sad, pain,
etc.)
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The face is one of the most reliable indicators of a
person’s attitudes, emotions, and feelings
Be consciously aware of your facial expressions!
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People WILL interpret your face, whether you like it or not!
Your facial expressions should be appropriate and in-line
with what you are saying, as well as your main point.
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Do you have a losing face?
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Facial Expression - continued
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Smiling is an important facial gesture that
indicate that we pleased to see other people
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But did you know there are MULTIPLE types of
smiles?
“I’m feeling content” smiles
“I’m feeling a little stressed” smiles
“I’m a bit sad” smiles
“I can’t believe you just did that” smiles
“How do I get out of this conversation?” smiles
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Gestures are NOT universal!
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4. Gestures (Hands and arms)
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Gestures are movements that express an idea or
meaning, such as a handshake
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Many gestures are automatic
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When we are speaking on the phone, we still make hand
gestures, for example
Gestures should supplement or clarify what you are
saying
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Good gestures include:
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regularly steepling hands to keep excessive movement in control
hands mime what you're saying
arms at 90 degrees to body, open, with palms up
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Indicates openness and acceptance.
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4. Gestures (Hands and arms)
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Bad gestures include:
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Tightly clenched hands - indicates that the person is experiencing
undue pressure.
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It may be difficult to relate to this person because of his tension
Cupping one or both hands over the mouth may indicate that you
are trying to hide something
Questionble gestures include:
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Standing and joining your hands behind your back
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Rubing gently behind or beside the ear with the index finger or
rubbing the eye
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Authority or egotism?
Confused or flirty?
Leaning back with both hands supporting the head
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Cocky or confident?
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5. Posture
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Posture is the way in which we position our bodies in
conversation
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Posture is another sign of the status and role within society
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Use posture as one means of indicating to another person
our feelings of friendship or hostility
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Think about ROTC practice!
“Hands on hips” represents confrontation and hostility
Groups imitate the postures of the people they are with,
called mirroring
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Cross legs, fold their arms as their group members do
Reinforce group identities
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Posture - continued
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Make sure your posture looks natural
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Shoulders back, head held high
Keep your feet slightly apart
Like gestures, you should move your body to emphasize your
point or indicate a transition in topic
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People who stand with their shoulders hunched and
hands in their pockets tend to be secretive and critical
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Excessive movement shows nervousness
Makes them seem to dislike what is going on around them
People who are preoccupied or thinking, usually stand
with their heads down, hands clasped behind their
backs, and can pace very slowly.
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Okay, so what do I do when I’m the
one listening…?
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When you are listening to a person, YOUR non-verbals
matter and can regulate the conversation
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Evaluation gestures say that the listener is being
thoughtful or is considering what you are saying
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Can be in a friendly way and unfriendly way
Typical positive evaluation gestures include:
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tilted head
hand to cheek
leaning forward
chin stroking
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Is Ray really “listening”?
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Okay, so what do I do when
I’m the one listening…?
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Critical evaluative gestures include:
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The body is more drawn back
The hand is to the face, but the chin is in the palm
of the hand with one finger going up the cheek
and the other fingers positioned below the mouth
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It looks sassy, trust me!
Dropping one’s eyeglasses to the lower bridge of
noise and peering over them
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Okay, so what do I do when I’m
the one listening…?
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This is NOT rocket science but you can show us just
how BORED you are...
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Drumming of fingers
Cupping the head in the palm of the hand
Foot swinging
Brushing or picking a lint
Looking at your watch or the exit
Be kind to one another – teachers may be used to it, but
your peers aren’t!
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