Nonverbal communication

Nonverbal vs verbal
communication
• Nonverbal communication involves a
complete mix of behaviors, psychological
responses, and environmental interactions
through which we consciously and
unconsciously relate to an other person.
• 55-95% of all that we communicate can be
attributed to nonverbal sources ( Mehrabian,
1971,; Poytos, 1983).
• Nonverbal communications are unique for two
reasons:
1. They mirror innermost thoughts and feelings.
2. Nonverbal communication is difficult, if not
impossible, to “fake” in order to have it fit a
verbal communication in which we may be
involved.
• Sometimes our body language don’t match
with our verbal message then the listener has
to choose whether to believe our verbal or
nonverbal message, and, in most cases,
they're going to choose the nonverbal
because it's natural and it reflects our true
feelings and intentions.
• Nonverbal communication is similar to verbal
communication in that each person perceives
and interprets a given nonverbal message or
“cue” in a totally personal manner.
• Nonverbal ‘cues” can and often will have
multiple interpretations. Ex: a smile.
Element of nonverbal communication
1. Kinesics (body movement)
2. Proxemics (the distance between persons
when they communicate)
3. The physical environtment
4. Potential distracting nonverbal elements
 Kinesics
• The manner in which you use your arms, legs,
hands, head, face, and torso may have a
dramatic impac on the message you send.
• For example, in some communities, it is
common for two men who meet to shake
hands. A handshake is a way by which we
nonverbally indicate friendship or at least
tolerance of another person.
• Kinesics is the non-
verbal behavior related
to movement, either of
any part of the body, or
the body as a whole.
• These include gestures,
eye contact, facial
expression, posture,
and touch.
 Gestures
• Gestures are the movements of our hands, arms and
fingers to describe or emphasize a point.
 Eye Contact
• Eye contact is an especially important type of
nonverbal communication. You can read a person’s
emotion through their eyes, and many times it’s not
the same emotion as their words are saying.
 Facial expression
• Through face we are
able to express
countless emotions
without saying a word.
• The facial expressions
for happiness, sadness,
anger, surprise, fear,
and disgust are the
same across cultures.
 Posture
• The position and movement of the body.
• Through our body movement, people decide how
attentive, respectful and dominant we are.
 Haptics(touch)
• Communicating through
touch is another
important nonverbal
behavior.
• Touch can be used to
communicate affection,
familiarity, sympathy,
and other emotions.
 One of the pharmcist’s roles
is serving to others

Body
Word,
movement
expression
(kinesics)

a feeling of emphaty, respect and

commitment to the helping others
• Sincerity, respect and emphaty for another
person can be nonverbally communicated by
an “open” cue cluster.
• What is “open” cue cluster?
• What is a closed posture?
• If a closed posture is retained throughout the
interaction, or if it suddenly appears during a
conversation, the second party may either
respond in similar manner or break off the
interaction.
• Communication from a closed posture may
shorten or halt further productive interaction
between parties.