NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION

WHAT IS NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION?

Communication in general is process of sending and receiving messages that enables humans to
share knowledge, attitudes, and skills. Although we usually identify communication with speech,
communication is composed of two dimensions - verbal and nonverbal.

Nonverbal Communication has been defined as communication without words. It includes

apparent behaviors such as facial expressions, eyes, touching, and tone of voice, as well as less
obvious messages such as dress, posture and spatial distance between two or more people.

Everything communicates, including material objects, physical space, and time systems.
Although verbal output can be turned off, nonverbal cannot. Even silence speaks.

Non-verbal Messages Allow People To:

1. Reinforce or modify what is said in words. For example, people may nod their heads
vigorously when saying "Yes" to emphasise that they agree with the other person, but a
shrug of the shoulders and a sad expression when saying "I'm fine thanks,” may imply
that things are not really fine at all!
2. Convey information about their emotional state.
3. Define or reinforce the relationship between people.
4. Provide feedback to the other person.
5. Regulate the flow of communication, for example by signaling to others that they have
finished speaking or wish to say something.
6. Non-verbal communication is an extremely complex yet integral part of overall
communication skills. However, people are often totally unaware of their non-verbal
behaviour.

A basic awareness of non-verbal communication strategies, over and above what is actually said,
can help to improve interaction with others. Knowledge of these signs can be used to encourage
people to talk about their concerns and can lead to a greater shared understanding, which is, after
all, the purpose of communication.

Definitions (2)

1. Behavior and elements of speech aside from the words themselves that transmit meaning.
Non-verbal communication includes pitch, speed, tone and volume of voice, gestures and facial
expressions, body posture, stance, and proximity to the listener, eye movements and contact, and
dress and appearance.
Research suggests that only 5 percent effect is produced by the spoken word, 45 percent by the
tone, inflexion, and other elements of voice, and 50 percent by body language, movements, eye
contact, etc.

2. Transmission of messages by a medium other than speech or writing.

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TYPES OF NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION?

The types of interpersonal communication that are not expressed verbally (with speech) are
called non-verbal communications.

There are many different types of non-verbal communication.

They include:

1. Body Movements (Kinesics), for example, hand gestures or nodding or shaking the head;
2. Posture, or how you stand or sit, whether your arms are crossed, and so on;
3. Eye Contact, where the amount of eye contact often determines the level of trust and
trustworthiness;
4. Para-language, or aspects of the voice apart from speech, such as pitch, tone, and speed
of speaking;
5. Closeness or Personal Space (Proxemics), which determines the level of intimacy;
6. Facial Expressions, including smiling, frowning and even blinking; and
7. Physiological Changes, for example, sweating or blinking more when nervous.

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TYPES OF NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION EXPLAINED !!!

According to experts, a substantial portion of our communication is nonverbal. Every day, we

respond to thousands on nonverbal cues and behaviors including postures, facial expression, eye
gaze, gestures and tone of voice. From our handshakes to our hairstyles, nonverbal details reveal
who we are and impact how we relate to other people.

Scientific research on nonverbal communication and behavior began with the 1872 publication
of Charles Darwin's The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals.

Since that time, abundant research on the types, effects, and expressions of unspoken
communication and behavior. While these signals are often so subtle that we are not consciously
aware of them, research has identified several different types of nonverbal communication.
In many cases, we communicate information in nonverbal ways using groups of behaviors. For
example, we might combine a frown with crossed arms and unblinking eye gaze to indicate
disapproval.

1. Facial Expressions

Facial expressions are responsible for a huge proportion of nonverbal communication. Consider
how much information can be conveyed with a smile or a frown. The look on a person's face is
often the first thing we see, even before we hear what they have to say.

While nonverbal communication and behavior can vary dramatically between cultures, the facial
expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, and fear are similar throughout the world.

2. Gestures

Deliberate movements and signals are an important way to communicate meaning without
words. Common gestures include waving, pointing, and using fingers to indicate numeric
amounts. Other gestures are arbitrary and related to culture.

In courtroom settings, lawyers have been known to utilize different nonverbal signals to attempt
to sway juror opinions.

An attorney might glance at his watch to suggest that the opposing lawyer's argument is tedious
or might even roll his eyes at the testimony offered by a witness in an attempt to undermine his
or her credibility. These nonverbal signals are seen as being so powerful and influential that
some judges even place limits on what type of nonverbal behaviors are allowed in the courtroom.

3. Paralinguistics

Paralinguistics refers to vocal communication that is separate from actual language. This
includes factors such as tone of voice, loudness, inflection and pitch. Consider the powerful
effect that tone of voice can have on the meaning of a sentence. When said in a strong tone of
voice, listeners might interpret approval and enthusiasm. The same words said in a hesitant tone
of voice might convey disapproval and a lack of interest.

Consider all the different ways simply changing your tone of voice might change the meaning of
a sentence. A friend might ask you how you are doing, and you might respond with the standard
"I'm fine," but how you actually say those words might reveal a tremendous amount of how you
are really feeling.

A cold tone of voice might suggest that you are actually not fine, but you don't wish to discuss it.
A bright, happy tone of voice will reveal that you are actually doing quite well. A somber,
downcast tone would indicate that you are the opposite of fine and that perhaps your friend
should inquire further.
4. Body Language and Posture

Posture and movement can also convey a great deal on information. Research on body language
has grown significantly since the 1970's, but popular media have focused on the over-
interpretation of defensive postures, arm-crossing, and leg-crossing, especially after publishing
Julius Fast's book Body Language. While these nonverbal behaviors can indicate feelings and
attitudes, research suggests that body language is far more subtle and less definitive that
previously believed.

5. Proxemics

People often refer to their need for "personal space," which is also an important type of
nonverbal communication. The amount of distance we need and the amount of space we perceive
as belonging to us is influenced by a number of factors including social norms, cultural
expectations, situational factors, personality characteristics, and level of familiarity. For
example, the amount of personal space needed when having a casual conversation with another
person usually varies between 18 inches to four feet. On the other hand, the personal distance
needed when speaking to a crowd of people is around 10 to 12 feet.

6. Eye Gaze

The eyes play an important role in nonverbal communication and such things as looking, staring
and blinking are important nonverbal behaviors. When people encounter people or things that
they like, the rate of blinking increases and pupils dilate. Looking at another person can indicate
a range of emotions including hostility, interest, and attraction.

People also utilize eye gaze a means to determine if someone is being honest. Normal, steady eye
contact is often taken as a sign that a person is telling the truth and is trustworthy. Shifty eyes
and an inability to maintain eye contact, on the other hand, is frequently seen as an indicator that
someone is lying or being deceptive.

7. Haptics

Communicating through touch is another important nonverbal behavior. There has been a
substantial amount of research on the importance of touch in infancy and early childhood. Harry
Harlow's classic monkey study demonstrated how deprived touch and contact impedes
development. Baby monkeys raised by wire mothers experienced permanent deficits in behavior
and social interaction. Touch can be used to communicate affection, familiarity, sympathy, and
other emotions.

In her book Interpersonal Communication: Everyday Encounters, author Julia Wood writes that
touch is also often used as a way to communicate both status and power. Researchers have found
that high-status individuals tend to invade other people's personal space with greater frequency
and intensity than lower-status individuals. Sex differences also play a role in how people utilize
touch to communicate meaning. Women tend to use touch to convey care, concern, and
nurturance. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to use touch to assert power or control over
others.

8. Appearance

Our choice of color, clothing, hairstyles, and other factors affecting appearance are also
considered a means of nonverbal communication. Research on color psychology has
demonstrated that different colors can evoke different moods. Appearance can also alter
physiological reactions, judgments, and interpretations. Just think of all the subtle judgments you
quickly make about someone based on his or her appearance. These first impressions are
important, which is why experts suggest that job seekers dress appropriately for interviews with
potential employers.

Researchers have found that appearance can play a role in how people are perceived and even
how much they earn. One 1996 study found that attorneys who were rated as more attractive than
their peers earned nearly 15 percent more than those ranked as less attractive. Culture is an
important influence on how appearances are judged. While thinness tends to be valued in
Western cultures, some African cultures relate full-figured bodies to better health, wealth, and
social status.

9. Artifacts

Objects and images are also tools that can be used to communicate nonverbally. On an online
forum, for example, you might select an avatar to represent your identity online and to
communicate information about who you are and the things you like. People often spend a great
deal of time developing a particular image and surrounding themselves with objects designed to
convey information about the things that are important to them. Uniforms, for example, can be
used to transmit a tremendous amount of information about a person. A soldier will don fatigues,
a police offers will wear a uniform, and a doctor will wear a white lab coat. At a mere glance,
these outfits tell people what a person does for a living.

Final Thoughts

Nonverbal communication plays an important role in how we convey meaning and information
to others, as well as how we interpret the actions of those around us. The important thing to
remember when looking at such nonverbal behaviors is to consider the actions in groups. What a
person actually says along with his or her expressions, appearance, and tone of voice might tell
you a great deal about what that person is really trying to say.

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BODY LANGUAGE OR BODY MOVEMENTS (KINESICS)

Body movements include gestures, posture, head and hand movements or whole body
movements.

Body movements can be used to reinforce or emphasize what a person is saying and also offer
information about the emotions and attitudes of a person. However, it is also possible for body
movements to conflict with what is said.

A skilled observer may be able to detect such discrepancies in behaviour and use them as a clue
to what someone is really feeling and thinking.

There are several different categories of body movement, these include:

Emblems

Gestures that serve the same function as a word are called emblems.

For example, the signals that mean 'OK', 'Come here!', or the hand movement used when hitch-
hiking. However, be aware that whilst some emblems are internationally recognised, others may
need to be interpreted in their cultural context.

Illustrators

Gestures which accompany words to illustrate a verbal message are known as illustrators.

For example, the common circular hand movement which accompanies the phrase 'over and over
again', or nodding the head in a particular direction when saying 'over there'.

Regulators

Gestures used to give feedback when conversing are called regulators.

Examples of 'regulators' include head nods, short sounds such as 'uh-huh', 'mm-mm', and
expressions of interest or boredom. Regulators allow the other person to adapt his or her speech
to reflect the level of interest or agreement. Without receiving feedback, many people find it
difficult to maintain a conversation. Again, however, they may vary in different cultural
contexts.

Adaptors

Adaptors are non-verbal behaviours which either satisfy some physical need.

Adaptors include such actions as scratching or adjusting uncomfortable glasses, or represent a

psychological need such as biting fingernails when nervous.
Although normally subconscious, adaptors are more likely to be restrained in public places than
in the private world of individuals where they are less likely to be noticed. Adaptive behaviours
often accompany feelings of anxiety or hostility.

Posture

Posture can reflect emotions, attitudes and intentions.

Research has identified a wide range of postural signals and their meanings, such as:

Open and Closed Posture

Two forms of posture have been identified, ‘open’ and ‘closed’, which may reflect an
individual's degree of confidence, status or receptivity to another person.

Someone seated in a closed position might have his/her arms folded, legs crossed or be
positioned at a slight angle from the person with whom they are interacting. In an open posture,
you might expect to see someone directly facing you with hands apart on the arms of the chair.
An open posture can be used to communicate openness or interest in someone and a readiness to
listen, whereas the closed posture might imply discomfort or disinterest.

Mirroring

Notice the way a loving couple relate to each other. You might like to observe a close
relationship in person or on television. You will see that the partners’ postures will match, as if
one partner is a mirror reflection of the other. For example, if one partner drapes an arm over the
back of a chair this might be replicated in the other person’s position. If one partner frowns, it
could be reflected in the other partner’s facial expression. This ‘mirroring’ indicates interest and
approval between people.

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CLOSENESS AND PERSONAL SPACE (PROXEMICS)

Every culture has different levels of physical closeness appropriate to different types of
relationship, and individuals learn these distances from the society in which they grew up.

The study of personal space is called proxemics.

In today's multicultural society, it is important to consider the range of non-verbal codes as

expressed in different ethnic groups. When someone violates an ‘appropriate’ distance, people
may feel uncomfortable or defensive. Their actions may well be open to misinterpretation.
In Western society, four distances have been defined according to the relationship between the
people involved.

The Four Main Categories of Proxemics

 Intimate Distance (touching to 45cm)

 Personal Distance (45cm to 1.2m)
 Social Distance (1.2m to 3.6m)
 Public Distance (3.7m to 4.5m)

These four distances are associated with the four main types of relationship - intimate, personal,
social and public.

Each of the distances is divided into two, giving a close phase and a far phase, making eight
divisions in all. It is worth noting that these distances are considered the norm in Western
society.

Intimate Distance:

Intimate distance ranges from close contact (touching) to the 'far' phase of 15-45cm.

In British society, it tends to be seen as an inappropriate distance for public behaviour and
entering the intimate space of another person with whom you do not have a close relationship
can be extremely disturbing.

Personal Distance:

The 'far' phase of personal distance is considered to be the most appropriate for people holding a
conversation. At this distance it is easy to see the other person's expressions and eye movements,
as well as their overall body language. Handshaking can occur within the bounds of personal
distance.

Social Distance:

This is the normal distance for impersonal business, for example working together in the same
room or during social gatherings.

Seating is also important; communication is far more likely to be considered as a formal

relationship if the interaction is carried out across a desk. In addition, if the seating arrangements
are such that one person appears to look down on another, an effect of domination may be
created. At a social distance, speech needs to be louder and eye contact remains essential to
communication, otherwise feedback will be reduced and the interaction may end.

Public Distance:
Teachers and public speakers address groups at a public distance. At such distances exaggerated
non-verbal communication is necessary for communication to be effective. Subtle facial
expressions are lost at this distance, so clear hand gestures are often used as a substitute. Larger
head movements are also typical of an experienced public speaker who is aware of changes in
the way body language is perceived at longer distances.

Understanding these distances allows us to approach others in non-threatening and appropriate

ways. People can begin to understand how others feel about them, how they view the
relationship and, if appropriate, adjust their behavior accordingly.

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EYE CONTACT AND FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

Eye contact and facial expressions provide important social and emotional information to the
audience.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Employ eye contact and smile when giving your speech

KEY POINTS

Eyes can indicate interest, attention, and involvement with audience members, while failure to
make eye contact may be interpreted as disinterested, inattentive, or rude.

Different cultures have different rules for eye contact.

The face as a whole communicates emotional states, such as happiness or sadness. The seven
universally recognized emotions shown through facial expressions are fear, anger, surprise,
contempt, disgust, happiness, and sadness.

Human faces are capable of more than 10,000 different expressions.

TERM

oculesics

a subcategory of kinesics, the study of eye movement, eye behavior, gaze, and eye-related
nonverbal communication. Often used interchangeably with eye contact.

1. Eye contact, also known as oculesics, and facial expression are important aspects of
communicating with an audience, providing important social and emotional information.
2. Eye Contact is Important in One-on-One Situations
3. Direct, attentive eye contact between the speaker and the receiver of the certificate during
the ceremony shows respect.
 4. The eyes can indicate interest, attention, and involvement with audience members, while
failure to make eye contact can be interpreted as disinterest.
5. Eye Contact is a Direct Form of Communication
6. Eye contact is important for Western audiences.

Gaze includes looking while talking and listening. The length of a gaze, the frequency of
glances, patterns of fixation, pupil dilation, and blink rate are all important cues in nonverbal
communication. Unless looking at others is a cultural no-no, lookers gain more credibility than
non-lookers.

Lack of eye contact is usually perceived to be rude or inattentive in Western cultures. But
different cultures have different rules for eye contact. Certain Asian cultures can perceive direct
eye contact as a way to signal competitiveness, which in many situations may prove to be
inappropriate. Others lower their eyes to signal respect; eye contact is avoided in Nigeria, and
between men and women of Islam. However, in Western cultures, lowered eyes and avoiding
eye contact could be misinterpreted as lacking self-confidence.

Tips for the Speaker

1. Make eye contact with your audience members, and make sure not to stare at your notes
the whole time.
2. If you have a large audience, make sure to alternate talking to the audience members to
the right, left, and in front of you.
3. When you begin your speech do not look at your notes, look at your audience! You know
your topic and who you are so introduce yourself and your topic as you would introduce
yourself when you meet a new person.
4. Practice looking at the audience while rehearsing.
5. Avoid skimming over faces in your audience.

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FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

The face as a whole indicates much about human moods. Specific emotional states, such as
happiness or sadness, are expressed through a smile or a frown, respectively. There are seven
universally recognized emotions shown through facial expressions:

Facial expressions, more than anything, serve as a practical means of communication. Using all
the various muscles that precisely control mouth, lips, eyes, nose, forehead, and jaw, the human
face is estimated to be capable of more than 10,000 different expressions. This versatility makes
non-verbal facial expressions extremely efficient and honest (unless deliberately manipulated).

Tips for the speaker

People smile when they are happy. Smile before you begin speaking to show the audience that
you are happy to be there, and they will smile back. Smiling is contagious.

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PROXEMICS - NOTING YOUR DISTANCE

Personal Space Zones - One aspect of proxemics has to do with how close we stand to others.
The distance may vary based on cultural norms and the type of relationship existing between the
parties.

Edward T Hall (1966) specified four distance zones which are commonly observed by North
Americans.

 Intimate distance - (0" to 18") This zone extends from actual touching to eighteen inches.
It is normally reserved for those with whom one is intimate. At this distance the physical
presence of another is overwhelming. Teachers who violate students intimate space are
likely to be perceived as intruders.
 Personal distance ( 18" to 4') This zone extends from eighteen inches to four feet. This is
the distance of interaction of good friends. This would also seem to be most appropriate
distance for teacher and student to discuss personal affairs such as grades, conduct,
private problems, etc.
 Social distance ( 4' to 12') This zone exists from four to twelve feet. It seems to be an
appropriate distance for casual friends and acquaintances to interact.
 Public distance (12' to 25') Extending outward from twelve feet a speaker becomes
formal. Classes of teachers who maintain this distance between themselves and their
students are generally formal, and some students may feel that the teacher is cold and
distant.

It should be noted, however, that appropriate distance is determined by a myriad of variables

including the situation, the nature of the relationship, the topic of conversation, and the physical
constraints which are present.

Vertical Distance

Just as the horizontal distance between people communicates something, so does the vertical
distance. In this case, however, vertical distance is often understood to convey the degree of
dominance or sub-ordinance in a relationship. Looking up at or down on another person can be
taken literally in many cases, with the higher person asserting greater status.

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HAPTICS
Haptic communication refers to the ways in which people and other animals communicate and
interact via the sense of touch. As well as providing information about surfaces and textures,
touch, or the haptic sense, is a component of communication in interpersonal relationships that is
nonverbal and nonvisual. Touch is extremely important for humans and is vital in conveying
physical intimacy. Haptics is a branch of nonverbal communication.

Touch can be categorized in terms of meaning as positive, playful, control, ritualistic, task-
related or unintentional. Touch is the earliest sense to develop in the fetus. The development of
an infant's haptic senses and how it relates to the development of the other senses such as vision
has been the target of much research. Human babies have been observed to have enormous
difficulty surviving if they do not possess a sense of touch, even if they retain sight and hearing.
Babies who can perceive through touch, even without sight and hearing, tend to fare much better.

Touching is treated differently from one country to another. Socially acceptable levels of
touching varies from one culture to another. In the Thai culture, touching someone's head may be
considered to be rude. Remland and Jones (1995) studied groups of people communicating and
found that in England (8%), France (5%) and the Netherlands (4%), touching was rare compared
to the Italian (14%) and Greek (12.5%) sample.

Striking, pushing, pulling, pinching, kicking, strangling and hand-to-hand fighting are forms of
touch in the context of physical abuse. The word touch has many other metaphorical uses. One
can be emotionally touched, referring to an action or object that evokes an emotional response.
To say "I was touched by your letter" implies the reader felt a strong emotion when reading it.

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CHRONEMICS

Chronemics refers to a communication-based understanding of time. These understandings vary

from culture to culture and person to person. In Anerican culture we have a more strict
understanding of time, meaning that if we set a work meeting for 10am, it would be extremely
rude to arrive 40 minutes late, whereas in many Latin or South American countries arriving late
would be quite normal, even expected.

Chronemics differ from situation to situation as well as relationship to relationship. A situational

example would be, even in America, it is acceptable to arrive late to a party, but not to a work
meeting; a Relationship-based example would be that it is acceptable for a doctor to keep a
patient waiting, but not the other way around (this difference reflects a power dynamic in the
Doctor-patient relationship, with the Doctor having more power than the patient).

Chronemics are an example of nonverbal communication, because these understandings function

as unstated rules that members of a society more or less follow.
Chronemics is a focus of anthropological studies in terms of how time affects different cultures.
Many Western cultures have developed a monochronic view of time, meaning that they focus on
sequential completion of tasks and are highly conscious of time. Other cultures in Asia and Latin
America live polychronic lifestyles and are less dependent on structured time frames and
singular tasks, focusing more on tradition and relationships.

Chronemics takes these differences into account concerning technology, and it is essential to
designing time management devices as efficiently as possible for businesses. Time management
technology may differ due to cultural differences and should be designed to fit varying lifestyles.

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