Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1- Verbal Communication
2- Nonverbal Communication
1- Verbal communication
Verbal communication is the form of communication in which words are used to convey
the message which uses both spoken or written words. The main purpose of every
communication is to make sure that the message is conveyed and understand properly
(Surbhi S, April 2, 2015). In some reports and articles only, oral communication
(Communication through speech) is considered as the part of verbal communication
Verbal communication takes place in two ways;
There are two types of verbal communication which are discussed below
A- Formal Communication:
The type of communication in which specified or well-defined channel is followed to
transmit the information in the organization. This is also known as official
communication. It is more reliable and effective but time consuming (Surbhi S, April
2, 2015).
Examples are formal letters, reports, memos etc.
B- Informal Communication:
The type of communication in which no proper channel is followed to transmit the
information. It is not reliable but can save time. The information may be in single
strand chain, cluster chain, probability chain and gossip chain (Surbhi S, April 2,
2015).
Examples are Gossip and sharing of feeling etc.
2. Nonverbal Communication:
Nonverbal communication is a part of communication in which signs and symbols are
used to communicate (Surbhi S, April 2, 2015). In other words, we can say that it is the
wordless communication. Although no words are spoken or written but it reflects great
influence and have great importance.
According to one report only 7% of the communication is based on words while 38%
accounts for paralanguage like the tone and volume of speech and rest 55% accounts
for nonverbal communication which include gesture, body language & other nonverbal
communication tools (Mehrabian, 1981).
Chronemics
Vocalics
Haptics
Kinesics
Proxemics
Artifacts
2.1. Chronemics:
It is the part of nonverbal communication in which we study about the use of time and
how we manage the time which reflects the personality of a person like the punctuality
and speed of speech. We may classify the time into many categories, which include
biological, personal, physical, and cultural time (Andersen, 1999).
2.2. Vocalics:
It is also known as paralanguage in which sender tends to communicate the message
by changing the tone or pitch of a voice. Our vocals have great importance in
communication as if we talk in a strong tone of voice which might be considered as if we
are confident & on the other hand if we talk in hesitate tone of voice we might be
considered as unconfident (Andersen, 1999).
2.3. Haptics:
In this type we use touch to communicate like hand shake and hugging which reflects
the great deal of emotions and feelings. It may be negative or positive like when the
deal is done we usually shake hands which shows the positive sign, similarly
withholding of hands may show the negative feelings or we use tap for appreciation etc.
(Jones, S. E, 1999).
2.4. Kinesics:
The word Kinesics means movement which is the study of communication in which we
study about the movement of body including the use of hands, arm or body to convey
the message (Communication in the Real World: An Introduction to Communication
Studies,Types of nonverbal communication,2013 University of Minnesota Libraries
Publishing)
Following are some of the types of kinesics.
A- Gestures:
Gestures are the movements of body part specially by hands or head which we use
deliberately to communicate. There are different types of gesture like waving to greet
someone or using fingers to tell the numeric value etc. Research have found that
gestures can improve the worth of our message by 60 percent (Holler and Beattie).
There are three main types of gestures: adaptors, emblems, and illustrators (Andersen,
1999).
A.1 Adopters: Adopters refers to the touching behavior which is almost unaware
especially towards the object which shows our anxiety like fake coughing when we are
nervous or shake our legs when we are not comfortable. (Andersen, 1999). A person
need to adapt to the specific situation during communication.
A.2 Emblems: Emblems are the type of gesture which have the specific and unique
meaning, but it may vary from culture to culture like a victory sign (Andersen, 1999).
A.3 Illustrators: These gestures are used to illustrate our verbal communication which
emphasize the meaning of verbal communication like when we illustrate the size of
something either large or too small. It is different from emblem as it does not have a
specific meaning & are used more subconsciously than emblems (Andersen, 1999).
B- Postures:
Postures are the movement of body or how we use our body while communicating.
There are four general human postures: standing, sitting, squatting, and lying down
(Hargie, 2011). Together these postures make many kinds of variation including how
you change your direction or putting our hands on our hips while communicating etc.
which has some positive as well as negative impact depending on your behavior (Pease
& Pease, 2004).
2.5. Proxemics:
It explains the space a person maintained while communicating with others depending
on the relationship with others. According to Edward T hall there are four types of zone
intimate, personal, social and public (Edward T Hall,1966)
Social zone: 4 feet to 10- 12 feet normal distance used in work settings
Conclusion:
Communication plays a vital role in any organization specially a manager must be
perfect in communicating with other manager or workers. We have two ways by which
manager communicate, verbal and nonverbal. Both the communications are important
and used simultaneously.
Glossary:
1. Adaptors: Unconscious touching behavior towards the object shows anxiety.
2. Artifacts: The physical appearance of a person.
3. Chronemics: The use and management of time.
4. Cluster Chain: Passing of information from random person to random person
and so on
5. Emblems: A type of gesture with unique meaning.
6. Facial Expression: The expressions we make during communication like angry,
sad and happy etc.
7. Formal Communication: Communication in which pre-defined or proper
channel is followed.
8. Gestures: Movements of body part specially by hands or head
9. Gossip Chain: Passing of information from single person to group
10. Haptics: Touching behavior use to communicate like hand shake and hugging.
11. Illustrators: These gestures are used to illustrate our verbal communication.
12. Informal Communication: Communication in which no pre-defined or proper
channel is followed.
13. Intimate Zone: 0 to 18 inches for close and emotional relationships.
14. Kinesics: The study of movement of body.
15. Nonverbal Communication: Communication which take place through sign and
signals.
16. Oral Communication: Type of verbal Communication which take place through
spoken words.
17. Personal Zone: 18 inches to 4 feet common zone for interpersonal
communication
18. Postures: The movement of body or how we use our body while communication.
19. Probability Chain: Passing of information from single person to the group and
the individual from the same group pass the information to another group
20. Proxemics: The distance a person should maintain while communicating.
21. Public Zone: 10- 12 feet and beyond for formal communication
22. Single Strand Chain: Passing of information from single person to another
person.
23. Social Zone: 4 feet to 10- 12 feet normal distance used in work settings
24. Verbal Communication: Communication which take place through words
25. Vocalics: Communication by changing the tone or pitch of a voice
26. Written Communication: Type of verbal communication in which written words
are used
References:
3. Holler, J., Shovelton, H., & Beattie, G. (2009). Do Iconic Hand Gestures
10.1007/s10919-008-0063-9
Knowledge,
https://www.verywellmind.com/types-of-nonverbal-communication-
2795397