Module 4: Non verbal

communication
Status Reading

Author

Identifying the importance of Nonverbal communication

1. Nonverbal messages are the primary way we communicate our feelings and
attitudes.

the most significant source of emotional communication is the face.

we communicate approximately 93% of the emotional meaning or our messages

nonverbally.

2. Non verbal messages are usually more believable than verbal messages

Action speak louder than word

Non verbal messages are more difficult to fake.

North americans use the following cues, listed in order from most to least important, to
help them discern when a person is lying.

greater time lag in response to a question

reduced eye contact

increased shifts in posture

unfilled pauses

less smiling

slower speech

higher pitch in voice

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 more deliberate pronunciation and articulation of words

3. Nonverbal messages work with verbal messages to create meaning

verbal and non verbal cues work together in two primary ways to help us make
sense of others messages: (a) they help us manage the verbal message, and (b)
they augment the emotional meaning of what we say.

(a) our nonverbal cues can substitute for verbal messages, as well as repeat, contradict,
or regulate what we say.
(b) our unspoken cues accent and complement verbal messages to increase or
decrease the emotional impact of what we say.

4. Non verbal messages help people respond and adapt to others

interaction adaptation theory - describes how people adapt to the communication

behavior of others.

mirroring behavior is called interactional synchrony.

5. Non verbal messages play a major role in interpersonal relationships

non verbal cuues are important not only when people initiate relationships but also
as they maintain and develop mature relationships with others.

Understanding Nonverbal communication codes

1. Body movement and posture

kinesics is the study of human movement and gesture

Ekman and Friesen classified movement and gestures according to their function.
They identified five categories: emblems, illustrators,affect displays, regulators, and
adaptors.

(a) emblems - nonvebal cues that have specific, generally understood meaning in a
given culture and may actually substitute for a word or phrase are called emblems

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 (b) illustrators - people frequently accompany a verbal message with illustrators that
either contradict, accent, r complement the message. e.g. slamming a book while
announcing
(c) affect displays - nonverbal movements and postures used to communicate emotion
are called affect displays.
(d) regulators - people use regulators to control the interaction or flow of communication
between themselves and another person.

(e) adaptors - nonverbal behaviors that help you satisfy a personal need and adapt to
the immediate situation. e.g. wrapping your arms around your chest means that you’re
cold

2. eye contact

four functions of eye contact in interpersonal interactions

(a) cognitive function - eye contact serves a cognitive function when it gives you
information about another’s person’s thought or process.
(b) monitoring function - monitor the behavior of others

(c) regulatory function - eye contact regulates whom you are likely to talk with. it’s like
inviting that person to speak to you when you look at them.

(d) expressive function - the area around your eyes serves an expressive function.

3. facial expression

4. Vocal cues

pitch, rate, volume, and quality of their voices and on their skill in pronouncing
words and articulating speech sounds.

our vocal cues communicate emotions

our use of silence can communicate a message.

5. Space

proxemics the study of space in nvc.

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 intimate space: 0 - 1.5 feet from someone

personal space: 1.5 - 4 feet

social space: 4 - 12 feet

public space: 12 feet and beyond

6. territory

territoriality is the study of how animals (including humans) use space and objects
to communicate occupancy or ownership of space.

people have territorial markers such as name tag or they plant flags to signify that
they own that land.

7. Touch

normally, you touch to express intimacy.

8. appearance

people place value on appearance. This is why attractive people have an easier
time persuading others.

How to improve your skill in interpreting nonverbal messages

1. look for dimensions of meaning in nonverbal messages

observe immediacy cues that communicate liking - cues that communicate liking
and pleasure

observe arousal cues that communicate responsiveness - cues that communicate

active interest and emotional involvement

observe dominance cues that communicate power - cues that communicate status
and power

2. use effective strategies for interpreting nonverbal messages

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 consider nonverbal cues in context

look for clusters of nonverbal cues

consider past experiences when interpreting nonverbal cues

compare what you expect to see with what you actually observe

be aware of your skill in interpreting nonverbal messages

check your perceptions with others

(a) How to check your perceptions of other’s nonverbal cues

steps:

1. observe their nonverbal behavior

2. form a mental impression of what you think they mean

3. ask questions to check wether your perception is accurate

Be aware that the nonverbal expression of emotion is contagious

look for cues that communicate lying

3. Be aware of limitation when interpreting nonverbal messages

nonverbal messages are often ambiguous

nonverbal messages are continuous

nonverbal cues are multi-channeled

nonverbal interpretation is culture based

How to improve your skill in expressing nonverbal messages

1. Be mindful of your nonverbal behavior

2. observe others reaction to your non verbal behavior

3. ask others about your nonverbal behavior

4. practice your nonverbal behavior

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