Nonverbal communication

Is it possible to communicate
without words?
Studies show that a majority of your
message is carried through
nonverbal elements:
Your appearance
Your body language
The tone and
the pace of your voice.
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 Nonverbal
communication
is
usually understood as the process of
communication through sending and
receiving wordless (mostly visual)
cues between people. Personal
interactions are driven as much by
non-verbal communication as the
words that are spoken. These nonverbal cues which we all give and are
very well attuned to interpreting
include body language, appearance
and tone.
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Non-verbal forms of communication is a

term that refers to any way in which we
communicate our ideas, opinions and
feelings with each other that does not
involve the use of written or spoken
words.
For example, what would an interview
panel think of:

a) A smiling, smartly dressed

candidate?
b) A candidate who has an untidy
appearance and does not make eye
contact?

Relationship of Non verbal

message with Verbal message

a) A non verbal message can

complement/reinforce a verbal
one.
b)It can emphasize(accentuate) a
verbal one.
c) It can repeat a verbal one.
d)It can substitute for a verbal
one.
e) It can contradict a verbal one.

Types of Non-Verbal
communication
a) Posture and Gesture (Kinesics)
b) Face and Eyes (Kinesics):
Face: Have you ever seen someone trying
to express anger while smiling? It just
doesn't come across. Effective assertions
require an expression that agrees with the
message. If you're sending mixed
messages, others will believe your facial
expression, not your words.

It is rightly said that of all the nonverbal channels,

face is the single most important broadcaster of
emotions. Due to this, people take great pains to
control the expressions they reveal to others.
We all use certain facial management
techniques like intensifying, de-intensifying,
neutralizing and masking.
Eyes: Ralph Waldo Emerson said: The eyes of men
converse at least as much as their tongues.
Where you look is one of the most obvious aspects
of behavior when talking to another person. Looking
directly at the person as you speak helps to
communicate your sincerity and increases the
directness of your message. It shows you respect
the person, which helps create a more positive
relationship.
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c) Touch (Haptics):Haptics is the study

of touching as nonverbal
communication, and haptic
communication refers to how people
and other animals communicate via
touching.
d)Clothing and accesories

e) Distance- Communicating with space

(Proxemics): This category refers to the distance
which people feel comfortableapproaching others or
having others approach them. People from certain
countries, such as parts of Latin America or the
Middle East often feel comfortable standing closer to
each other, while persons of Northern European
descent tend to prefer a relatively greater distance.
Different distances are also intuitively assigned for
situations involving intimate relations, ordinary
personal relationships (e.g., friends), social relations
(e.g., co-workers or salespeople), or in public places
(e.g., in parks, restaurants, or on the street.)
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f) Time (Chronemics) is the study of

the use of time in nonverbal
communication. The way we perceive
time, structure our time and react to
time is a powerful communication
tool and helps set the stage for
communication. Time perceptions
include punctuality and the
willingness to wait, plus the speed of
speech and how long people are
willing to listen.
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Paralanguage: It refers to the

communication that goes beyond the
specific spoken words. Paralanguage
reminds us that people convey their
feelings not only in what they say, but
also in how they say it. It includes the
non-verbal elements of communication
used to modify meaning and convey
emotion. Paralanguage may be
expressed consciously or
unconsciously, and it includes the
pitch, volume, and the intonation of
speech. The study is known as
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SILENCE: The absence of both paralinguistic

and verbal clues, also serves important
communicative functions. It can show that you
are thinking, or that the words you are about
to share are important. Sometimes, choosing
not to speak with someone at all can
demonstrate indifference or disconfirmation.
Silence can also be used as a punishment
after an argument or conflict to show anger.
On the other hand it can also indicate that
two people are so comfortable with each other
that they do not feel a need to talk or at some
other times it can reveal a persons shyness.
Silence may also show agreement or having
nothing to say.
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Techniques for Improving Non-Verbal

Communication Skills
a) Establish and maintain Eye-contact
b) Use posture to show interest
c) Reduce or eliminate physical barriers
d) Improve your decoding skills
e) Probe for more information
f) Avoid assigning non verbal meanings
when you are not sure or when you
dont understand a situation or a
culture.
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g) Associate with people from diverse

cultures
h) Appreciate the power of appearance
i) Observe yourself on videotape
j) Take help from friends and family:
ask them to monitor your conscious
and unconscious body movements
and gestures to help you become a
more effective communicator.

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