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 arent 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 Others 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

Emblems: deliberate nonverbal behaviors that have precise meanings known to everyone within a culture group. Wave or Nod Emblems can replace a verbal message Nonverbal behavior matches verbal message

Substituting

Complementing

Sincere apology Tone of voice and appropriate facial expression Scratching head when trying to think of something

Illustrators

Functions of Nonverbal

Accenting

Pointing your finger at someone when making a point

Regulating

Taking turns speaking has a pattern that we understand when it is our turn to talk, e.g. pauses, tone of voice
Mixed messages Nonverbal message is believed more than verbal message 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

Contradicting

Deceiving

Types of Nonverbal Comm.

Posture

Kinesics: the study of body movements, gesture and posture. Mirroring posture makes good impression Posture reveals ones vulnerability to violence 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

Gestures

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 childs 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