CHAPTER 7

Non-verbal Communication
 Chapter Outline
• Non-verbal Communication Defined
• Characteristics of Non-verbal Communication
• Functions of Non-verbal Communication
• Types of Non-verbal Communication
 Learning Outcomes
You should be able to:
• define non-verbal communication and describe its
distinguishing characteristics;
• categorize the various functions that non-verbal
communication can serve and provide examples of each;
• analyze a variety of types of non-verbal communication
and describe how they communicate meaning; and
• critically examine the role of culture and gender in
influencing non-verbal communication and its influence
on our perceptions.
 Non-verbal
Communication Defined
• Messages expressed by non-linguistic means.​
• Can include verbal communication (e.g., voice,
tone) but not language (e.g., sign language).
 Characteristics of Non-verbal
Communication
Non-verbal communication is always occurring
• Some theorists have suggested that all non-verbal
behaviour conveys information—it is impossible not to
communicate.
• Each of us is a kind of transmitter that cannot be shut off
even if we try.
• Although non-verbal behaviour reveals information, it is
not always conscious or intentional.
• Behaviour is not always interpreted accurately.
 Characteristics of Non-verbal
Communication, cont’d
Non-verbal communication is primarily relational
• Some non-verbal messages serve utilitarian functions.​
• The relational component of messages is most often
communicated non-verbally.​
• Non-verbal messages convey emotions that we may be
unwilling or unable to express or that we may not even
be aware of.​
• Ideas are less easy to communicate non-verbally than
attitudes and feelings.
 Characteristics of Non-verbal
Communication, cont’d
Non-verbal communication is ambiguous
• Most non-verbal behaviour has the potential to
be even more ambiguous than verbal statements.​
• Because of ambiguity, it is a good idea to use a
perception-checking approach when responding
to non-verbal cues.
 Characteristics of Non-verbal
Communication, cont’d
Non-verbal communication occurs in mediated messages
• Video calls, photos on social networking apps, etc.
contain non-verbal information.
• The most obvious way to represent non-verbal
expressions in type is with emoji.
– Can help communicate emotion and clarify a meaning that isn’t
evident from words alone, but can also be ambiguous.
• Punctuation, phrases such as “hmmm,” clicking “like,”
and the timing of a response also play a role in mediated
communication.
 Characteristics of Non-verbal
Communication, cont’d
Non-verbal communication is influenced by culture and
gender
• Cultures have different non-verbal languages as well as
verbal ones.​
– The meaning of some gestures varies between cultures.
– A variety of cultural norms also guide non-verbal
expressiveness.
• Despite differences, much non-verbal behaviour is
universal as certain expressions have the same meanings
around the world.
 Characteristics of Non-verbal
Communication, cont’d
Non-verbal communication is influenced by culture and
gender, cont’d
• Gender also affects non-verbal communication.
– Women are generally more non-verbally expressive than men
and they’re more accurate in interpreting non-verbal behaviour.
 Functions of Non-verbal
Communication
Creating and maintaining relationships
• Non-verbal behaviour plays an important role during
every relational stage.
– When we first meet someone, we use non-verbal cues to
gather information about them and indicate our own
attitude towards them.
– In established relationships, non-verbal cues create and
signal emotional climate.
 Functions of Non-verbal
Communication, cont’d
Regulating​interaction
• Regulators: Help control verbal interaction.​
• Signals that a speaker has finished and is ready to yield
to a listener:​
– A change in vocal intonation​.
– A drawl on the last syllable or the stressed syllable in a clause​.
– A drop in vocal pitch or loudness when speaking
a common expression such as "you know.”​
• Eye contact is another way of regulating verbal
communication.
 Functions of Non-verbal
Communication, cont’d
Influencing others
• Non-verbal cues can be more important than verbal
messages in creating impressions.
• Sometimes deliberately and sometimes without thought,
we use non-verbal behaviours in ways that get others to
satisfy our wants and needs.
– In mainstream Canadian culture, people are more compliant and
co-operative when we make direct eye contact, wear high status
clothing, use open body postures, touch others appropriately,
and behave in a friendly, positive way.
 Functions of Non-verbal
Communication, cont’d
Influencing ourselves
• Non-verbal behaviour reflects how a person feels.
• The opposite is also true: if you change your non-
verbal behaviour, it can affect the way you feel.
 Functions of Non-verbal
Communication, cont’d
Concealing/deceiving
• When verbal and non-verbal messages conflict, we
tend to believe the non-verbal.
• Research findings on deception detection:
– We’re accurate in detecting deception only slightly more
than half of the time.
– We overestimate our abilities to detect others’ lies.
– We have a strong tendency to judge others’ messages as
truthful.
 Functions of Non-verbal
Communication, cont’d
Concealing/deceiving, cont’d
• Non-verbal clues that may reveal deception:
– Speech errors (e.g., false starts, hesitations, stutters,
stammers, etc.)
– Rise in vocal pitch
– Longer pause before offering answers
– Dilated pupils
– Micro-expressions
 Types of Non-verbal
Communication
Body movement
• Kinesics: the study of how people communicate
through bodily movements
• Face and eyes
– Complicated channel of expression to interpret.
– Hard to describe the number and kind of expressions
produced by the face and eyes.
– Oculesics: the study of how the eyes can communicate.
– The meaning of eye contact is influenced by culture.
 Types of Non-verbal
Communication, cont’d
Body movement, cont’d
• Posture and gestures
– Posture messages are subtle; the key is to look for small
changes.
– Gestures can be intentional or unconscious.
– The right kinds of gestures can increase persuasiveness.
– Mirroring another person’s movements is a common way
to express similarity and affiliation.
 Types of Non-verbal
Communication, cont’d
Touch​
• Haptics: the study of touching.
• Interpersonal touch is a powerful way to communicate
our feelings and it plays an important role in our
emotional well-being (e.g., value of touch for infants).
Voice​
• Paralanguage: The way a message is spoken. ​
– Vocal use can give the same word or phrase a different
meaning (rate, pitch, tone, volume, length of pauses,
disfluencies, etc.).
 Types of Non-verbal
Communication, cont’d
Distance
• Proxemics: the study of how communication is affected
by the use, organization, and perception of space and
distance.
• Personal space: The invisible bubble each individual finds
comfortable to have around themselves.
– Intimate distance: Begins with skin contact​
– Personal distance: Ranges from 0.45m to 1.2m​
– Social distance: Ranges from 1.2m to 3.0m​
– Public distance: 3.0m and outward
 Types of Non-verbal
Communication, cont’d
Territoriality
• Territory: a stationary area we claim (e.g. a seat in class).
• Involves a sense of ownership.
Time​
• Chronemics: study of how humans use and structure time.
– Monochronic: emphasizing punctuality, schedules, and
completing tasks on time.
– ​Polychronic: flexible schedules in which multiple tasks are
pursued at the same time.
• Depends on culture, status, relationship, and circumstance.
 Types of Non-verbal
Communication, cont’d
Physical attractiveness​
• People perceived as attractive are perceived as being
more sensitive, strong, kind, sociable, and interesting.​
Clothing​
• We make assumptions about people based on clothing.​
• Conveys messages to others: ​
– economic level; educational level; trustworthiness;
social position; level of sophistication; social, economic,
and educational background; level of success; and moral
character
 Types of Non-verbal
Communication, cont’d
Physical environment​
• Decorating schemes convey clear information
about the homeowner(s).​
• An environment can also shape the kind of
interaction that takes place in it.​