Nonverbal Communication

CMN:201
Session: 13
Date: 4th November 2018
 What is Nonverbal Communication?
“The behaviors of people, other than their use of
words, which have socially shared meaning, are
intentionally sent or interpreted as intentional are
consciously sent or consciously received, and have the
potential for feedback from the receiver (pg. 174)”
 Nonverbal and Verbal Communication
Work Together
Nonverbal communication in conjunction with words can strengthen a
message. This works in six ways they are:
1. Repetition
2. Emphasis
3. Complementation
4. Contradiction
5. Substitution
6. Regulation
1.Repetition: The same message is sent both verbally and nonverbally.
There is a duplication of messages. For example:
 Discussing a subject and pointing towards it.
 Frowning and giving a confused look and asking your instructor what he or
she means
 We can nod our heads and say yes to someone
2.Emphasis: Nonverbal cues to strengthen verbal messages. For
example:
 Hugging someone and you tell a person that you care about him/her
 Changes in tone of voice, and deliberate pausing
 Non Verbal and Verbal Communication
Work Together
3.Complementation: Nonverbal and verbal codes add meaning to each
other and expand the meaning of either message alone. Unlike
repetition it goes beyond duplication of messages in two channels.
Tone of voice facial expressions, gestures, bodily movements. For
example tears of happiness

4.Contradiction: Verbal and nonverbal messages conflict. Contradiction

occurs intentionally in humor or sarcasm. Words provide one message
but the non verbal delivery of message says what you actually feel. See
page 176 for example.
 Non Verbal and Verbal Communication
Work Together
5.Substitution: Nonverbal codes are used instead of verbal codes. For
example, simply shaking your head to say no, a thumbs up sign instead
of saying good job or excellent work
6.Regulation: Nonverbal cues are used to monitor and control
interactions with others. For example:
 Walking away from someone or leaving the room when someone has
made you angry
 Using hand signals to indicate when someone is done talking and it is
someone else’s turn to talk.
 Differences between Non Verbal and
Verbal Communication
The number of channels: In verbal communication we speak,
we use our voice. There is only one channel- the stream of
utterances (words).
In nonverbal communication channels are multiple and
simultaneous. For example we receive messages from eyes
facial expression, body movements, silence, pitch
Differences between Non Verbal and
Verbal Communication
Difference in the Coding Systems: Digital and Analog
 Verbal communication is digital and consists of discrete and separate
words and items
 Nonverbal verbal communication is analogic. Analog means continual
variable, measurable physical quantities. For example tone of voice,
facial expressions
 Verbal communication is distinct (linear). Distinct means that
messages have a clear beginning and end, and are expressed in a
linear fashion. While nonverbal communication is continuous (in
constant motion and relative to context).
Differences between Non Verbal and
Verbal Communication
The type of content for which they are best suited:
 Verbal communication is best suited and can be used
to argue, explain in details, compare and contrast the
past, present and future, discuss the absence of
evidence, give references. Nonverbal communication
has no capacity of doing that
Differences between Non Verbal and
Verbal Communication
Rule Structure
• Language has multifaceted and multilayered structure. Such as
grammar, vocabulary, semantics, pragmatics, syntax etc. Therefore
verbal communication has far more rules than nonverbal
communication
• The difference in the rule structure suggests that non verbal
communication maybe far more difficult to understand and interpret
than verbal communication
 Why are Non Verbal codes difficult to
interpret?
One Code Communicates a variety of meanings: this may cause ambiguity. For
example raising your right hand may mean you are taking an oath, you are
indicating to an instructor that you want to answer a question or you want a taxi to
stop for you
 You may stand close to someone out of affection or because the room is crowded
 What about staring?
A variety of codes communicate the same meaning: Any number of codes may be
used to communicate the same meaning. For example in some cultures respect is
shown by listeners when they avert their eyes, in other cultures respect is shown by
directly looking at the speaker
Why are Non Verbal codes difficult to
interpret?
Interpretations of intentionality vary: Intentionality is the
purposefulness of non verbal codes. Interpretations may vary and may
be confusing. Such as:
 Intentional non verbal codes maybe perceived as intentional for
example when you hug your loved ones.
 An intentional code maybe misperceived as having another intention
 An unintentional code maybe perceived as intentional (Read page
179)
 A code maybe sent and received intentionally
 For Next Class
Read and Understand Nonverbal Codes pages 179 -194
THANK YOU