Table of Contents

THEORIES SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

Types of Nonverbal
Communication
By Kendra Cherry Updated on October 12, 2022

Medically reviewed by David Susman, PhD

Fotosearc / Getty Images

Table of Contents
Types

Examples

How to Improve

A substantial portion of our communication is

nonverbal. In fact, some researchers suggest
that the percentage of nonverbal
communication is four times that of verbal
communication, with 80% of what we
communicate involving our actions and
gestures versus only 20% being conveyed with
the use of words. [1]

What Is Nonverbal
Communication?
Nonverbal communication is "the act of
conveying information without the use of
words." [2] This might involve using
certain facial expressions or hand
gestures to make a speciHc point, or it
could involve the use (or non-use) of eye
contact, physical proximity, and other
nonverbal cues to get a message across.

Every day, we respond to thousands of

nonverbal cues and behaviors, including
postures, facial expressions, eye gaze,
gestures, and tone of voice. From our
handshakes to our hairstyles, our nonverbal
communication reveals who we are and
impacts how we relate to other people.

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9 Types of Nonverbal Communication

9 Types of Nonverbal
Communication
ScientiHc 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
has been conducted regarding the types,
eOects, and expressions of unspoken
communication and behavior.

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While these signals can be so subtle that we are

not consciously aware of them, research has
identiHed nine types of nonverbal
communication. These nonverbal
communication types are facial expressions,
gestures, paralinguistics (such as loudness or
tone of voice), body language, proxemics or
personal space, eye gaze, haptics (touch),
appearance, and artifacts.

Facial Expressions
Facial expressions are responsible for a huge
proportion of nonverbal communication. [3]
Consider how much information can be
conveyed with a smile or a frown. The look on
a person's face is often the Hrst 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.

Verywell / Joshua Seong

Related: The Universal Expression of Emotion

Gestures
Deliberate movements and signals are an
important way to communicate meaning
without words. [4] Common gestures include
waving, pointing, and giving a "thumbs up"
sign. Other gestures are arbitrary and related to
culture.

For instance, in the U.S., putting the index

and middle Hnger in the shape of a "V"
with your palm facing out is often
considered to be a sign of peace or victory.
Yet, in Britain, Australia, and other parts
of the world, this gesture can be
considered an insult.

Nonverbal communication via gestures is so

powerful and in`uential that some judges place
limits on which ones are allowed in the
courtroom, where they can sway juror
opinions. An attorney might glance at their
watch to suggest that the opposing lawyer's
argument is tedious, for instance. Or they may
roll their eyes during a witness's testimony in
an attempt to undermine that person's
credibility.

Paralinguistics
Paralinguistics refers to vocal communication
that is separate from actual language. [5] This
form of nonverbal communication includes
factors such as tone of voice, loudness,
in`ection, and pitch.

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Consider the powerful eOect that tone of voice

can have on the meaning of a sentence. When
said in a strong tone of voice, listeners might
interpret a statement as approval and
enthusiasm. The same words said in a hesitant
tone can convey disapproval and a lack of
interest.

Related: How to Develop a Strong Speaking

Voice

Body Language and Posture

Posture and movement can also provide a great
deal of information. [6] Research on body
language has grown signiHcantly since the
1970s, with popular media focusing on the
over-interpretation of defensive postures such
as arm-crossing and leg-crossing, especially
after the publication of Julius Fast's book Body
Language.

While these nonverbal communications can

indicate feelings and attitudes, research
suggests that body language is far more subtle
and less deHnitive than previously believed.

Related: Understanding and Improving Body

Language When You Have Social Anxiety

Proxemics
People often refer to their need for "personal
space." This is known as proxemics and is
another important type of nonverbal
communication. [7]

The amount of distance we need and the

amount of space we perceive as belonging to us
are in`uenced by several factors. Among them
are social norms, cultural expectations,
situational factors, personality characteristics,
and level of familiarity.

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The amount of personal space needed

when having a casual conversation with
another person can vary between 18 inches
and four feet. The personal distance
needed when speaking to a crowd of
people is usually around 10 to 12 feet.

Eye Gaze
The eyes play a role in nonverbal
communication, with such things as looking,
staring, and blinking being important cues. For
example, when you encounter people or things
that you like, your rate of blinking increases
and your pupils dilate.

People's eyes can indicate a range of emotions,

including hostility, interest, and attraction.
People also utilize eye gaze as a means to
determine if someone is being honest. [8]

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.

Related: How to Overcome Eye Contact

Anxiety

Haptics
Communicating through touch is another
important nonverbal communication behavior.
Touch can be used to communicate aOection,
familiarity, sympathy, and other emotions.

In her book Interpersonal Communication:

Everyday Encounters, author Julia Wood writes
that touch is also often used to communicate
both status and power. [9] High-status
individuals tend to invade other people's
personal space with greater frequency and
intensity than lower-status individuals.

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Sex diOerences 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.

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 as baby
monkeys raised by wire mothers
experienced permanent deHcits in
behavior and social interaction.

Appearance
Our choice of clothing, hairstyle, and other
appearance factors are also considered a means
of nonverbal communication. [10] Research on
color psychology has demonstrated that
diOerent colors can evoke diOerent moods.
Appearance can also alter physiological
reactions, judgments, and interpretations.

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Just think of all the subtle judgments you

quickly make about someone based on their
appearance. These Hrst impressions are
important, which is why experts suggest that
job seekers dress appropriately for interviews
with potential employers.

Researchers have found that appearance can

even play a role in how much people earn. One
1996 study found that attorneys who were
rated as more attractive than their peers
earned nearly 15% more than those ranked as
less attractive.

Culture is an important in`uence on how

appearances are judged. While thinness tends
to be valued in Western cultures, some African
cultures relate full-Hgured bodies to better
health, wealth, and social status.

Related: How Person Perception Helps Us

Form Impressions of Others

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 and to
communicate information about who you are
and the things you like.

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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 ojcer will

wear a speciHc uniform, and a doctor will wear
a white lab coat. At a mere glance, these outHts
tell others what that person does for a living.
That makes them a powerful form of nonverbal
communication.

Nonverbal Communication
Examples
Think of all the ways you communicate
nonverbally in your own life. You can Hnd
examples of nonverbal communication at
home, at work, and in other situations.

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Nonverbal Communication at Home

Consider all the ways that tone of voice might
change the meaning of a sentence when
talking with a family member. One example is
when you ask your partner how they are doing
and they respond with, "I'm Hne." How they
say these words reveals a tremendous amount
about how they are truly feeling.

A bright, happy tone of voice would suggest

that they are doing quite well. A cold tone of
voice might suggest that they are not Hne but
don't wish to discuss it. A somber, downcast
tone might indicate that they are the opposite
of Hne but may want to talk about why.

Other examples of nonverbal communication at

home include:

Going to your partner swiftly when they

call for you (as opposed to taking your
time or not responding at all)

Greeting your child with a smile when

they walk into the room to show that
you're happy to see them

Leaning in when your loved one speaks to

show that you are listening and that you
are interested in what they're saying

Shoving your Hst into the air when you're

upset that something isn't working

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Nonverbal Communication in the

Workplace
You can also Hnd nonverbal communication in
the workplace. Examples of this include:

Looking co-workers in the eye when

speaking with them to be fully engaged in
the interaction

Throwing your hands in the air when you

are frustrated with a project

Using excitement in your voice when

leading work meetings to project your
passion for a speciHc topic

Walking down the hall with your head

held high to convey conHdence in your
abilities

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Nonverbal Communication in Other

Situations
Here are a few additional examples of
nonverbal communication that say a lot
without you having to say anything at all:

Greeting an old friend at a restaurant with

a hug, handshake, or Hst bump

Placing your hand on someone's arm

when they are talking to you at a party to
convey friendliness or concern

Rolling your eyes at someone who is

chatting excessively with a store clerk as a
line begins to form

Scowling at someone who has cut you oO

in trajc, or "`ipping them the bird"

How to Improve Your

Nonverbal Communication
Skills
If you want to develop more conHdent body
language or improve your ability to read other
people's nonverbal communication behaviors,
these tips can help:

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