Non Verbal Communication

10 Key excerpts on "Non Verbal Communication"

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  Introducing Language and Intercultural Communication

  • Jane Jackson(Author)
  • 2019(Publication Date)
  • Routledge

    (Publisher)

  et al. (2004: 482) depict nonverbal communication as ‘a process whereby people, through the intentional or unintentional manipulation of normative actions and expectations, express experiences, feelings, and attitudes in order to relate to and control themselves, others, and their environments’.

  What all of these definitions of nonverbal communication have in common is the notion that nonverbal acts are communicating a message, whether on purpose or not. The receiver’s perception of some form of intent is sufficient for a nonverbal act to be deemed communication.

  The importance of nonverbal communication

  Why study nonverbal communication? In his play Troilus and Cressida (1914), the great playwright William Shakespeare drew attention to the diverse ways in which our whole body is engaged in the communication process (e.g., our eyes, cheeks, lips, feet, joints, posture). As Cressida spoke, her facial features and body movements gave her away. ‘There’s language in her eye, her cheek, her lip. Nay, her foot speaks. Her wanton spirits look out at every joint and motive of her body’. Through nonverbal means, we, as social actors, may disclose our emotions, attitudes, and thoughts – whether we are aware of it or not.

  Nonverbal communication specialists assert that nonverbal communication is the single most powerful form of human communication. Albert Mehrabian (1982), a body language specialist, claims that the vast majority of meaning and emotional intent is actually transmitted through nonverbal channels (e.g., body movements, facial expressions, vocal qualities). ‘Depending on the study, the estimated amount of information conveyed nonverbally ranges between 65% and 95% of the total messages conveyed’ (Matsumoto & Hwang 2015: 513). Further, most nonverbal communication scholars maintain that nonverbal acts are a more accurate indicator of the true meaning than the actual words (e.g., Eaves & Leathers 2018; Moore et al

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  Applied Organizational Communication

  Theory and Practice in a Global Environment

  • Thomas E. Harris, Mark D. Nelson(Authors)
  • 2018(Publication Date)
  • Routledge

    (Publisher)

  5 Nonverbal Communication Key concepts in this chapter include:

  • Verbal vs. nonverbal communication

  • Principles of nonverbal communication

  • High-context and low-context cultures

  • Facial display

  • Eye contact

  • Paralanguage

  • Body language

  • Clothing

  • Proxemics

  Overview

  “Actions speak louder than words,” “People believe what you do more than what you say,” and “You should walk the talk” are familiar admonitions. Nonverbal messages can convey affiliation, positive regard, interest, dominance, credibility, or status. In addition, they can reinforce or punish; affect what others learn; what attitudes develop; what approaches will be modeled; and what is expected. We continuously send and receive wordless signals. Even when you are not speaking, you are still communicating nonverbally. Nonverbal communication includes nuances of voice, details of dress, choice and movement of objects that communicate, time, space, body movements, facial expressions, and body orientation.

  Nonverbal communication principles have wide organizational applications (Bonaccio et al., 2016). Topics range from helping managers and leaders increase their effectiveness, to improving office design, to understanding organizational cultures. International communication success can hinge on culturally appropriate nonverbal actions and our increasing need to be able to work in diverse groups requires an appreciation for differences in nonverbal expectations and behaviors. Nonverbal communication has important consequences when organizations try to flatten the organization and treat everyone as equals. Traditionally, nonverbal communication announces and reinforces the differences in status that exist between members of an organization. Most organizations go to great lengths to create the desired impression on visitors, clients, and employees through office and building design.

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  Guiding Children's Social Development and Learning

  Theory and Skills

  • Marjorie Kostelnik, Anne Soderman, Alice Whiren, Michelle Rupiper(Authors)
  • 2017(Publication Date)
  • Cengage Learning EMEA

    (Publisher)

  In addition, nonverbal communication is always influenced by culture, society, region, and family (Wolf, 2015). Nonverbal communication has several properties. For example, many nonverbal signals are universal and mean the same to everyone, such as crying as a sign of distress or blushing when embarrassed. Second, many signals are sent and received spontaneously, without conscious thought. These are fast and automatic, such as when you jump when startled by an unexpected loud noise. Finally, many nonverbal signals occur si-multaneously. You are both the sender and the receiver of nonverbal messages at the same time. In addition, you are sending signals through your voice, your movements, and your expressions while speaking and listening (Remland, Jones, Foeman, & Arevalo, 2015). Unlike spoken language, in which words are ex-plicitly defined, nonverbal codes are implicit, with the meaning derived from the context of the situation and the flow of the interaction. Thus, the same act in dif-ferent contexts may have very different intents (e.g., a nod in one situation may mean hello, whereas a nod in another circumstance may mean you are dismissed). Sometimes, as illustrated by Shari and her mom, non-verbal communications are clear; at other times, they can be ambiguous or confusing. Regardless, nonverbal signals are present in most social interactions, and people use them to convey and interpret a range of information and feelings (Doherty-Sneddon, 2004). Thus, nonverbal communication is a major medium of communication in everyday life (Remland, 2016). Both adults and children need to pay attention to nonverbal signals in order to communicate accu-rately and effectively. Most importantly, from infancy onward, nonverbal communication links children to the adults in their world as well as to one another (Butterfield, Martin, & Prairie, 2004).

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  Intercultural Communication

  An Interdisciplinary Approach: When Neurons, Genes, and Evolution Joined the Discourse

  • Mai Nguyen-Phuong-Mai(Author)
  • 2017(Publication Date)
  • Amsterdam University Press

    (Publisher)

  4.1 The role of non-verbal communication Non-verbal communication indicates all non-verbal, intentional and unin-tentional stimuli that have the potential to convey a communication mes-sage. In the metaphorical tree of culture, it belongs to the leaf-and-canopy layer. This includes everything in our surroundings as well as what our body communicates. In general, the surroundings include time and space, while the body includes all f ive senses in interaction: 83 per cent sight, 11 per cent hearing, 3 per cent smell, 2 per cent touch, and 1 per cent taste. 2 Their role in communication is crucial, and this section will discuss them in depth. 4.1.1 The Universal Role of Non-verbal Communication The majority of literature on non-verbal communication in intercultural context focuses on the dif ferences across cultures. However, the Inverted Pyramid model reminds us that we are similar at the universal level, and NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION – HOW YOU MAKE THEM FEEL 125 the metaphorical tree of culture reminds us that we all share certain similar outward expressions. For this reason, we should start the discussion at the point we converge, rather than diverge. 4.1.1.1 Primary Means of Communication Regardless of our diversity, there are certain facial expressions that tell the same story around the world, from the Tongan islanders in the middle of the Pacif ic to the urban inhabitants of Monaco. These facial expressions are understood across cultures and thus, are arguably biological in origin: anger, disgust, fear, joy, sadness and surprise. 3 The bottom line is, we are one species, with a shared and innate genetic inheritance of the most basic emotions. In The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals , 4 Charles Darwin attributed human facial expressions to the associated habits in our evolutionary past. For example, if a species attacks by biting, baring teeth was a crucial signal before an assault.

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  COMM

  • Deanna Sellnow, Kathleen Verderber, Rudolph Verderber, , Deanna Sellnow, Deanna Sellnow, Kathleen Verderber, Rudolph Verderber(Authors)
  • 2020(Publication Date)
  • Cengage Learning EMEA

    (Publisher)

  If you are in the presence of someone else, your nonverbal messages (whether intentional or not) are communicating. When Austin yawns and stares off into the distance during class, his classmates may notice this behavior and assign meaning to it. One classmate may interpret it as a sign of boredom, another might see it as a sign of fatigue, and yet another may view it as a message of disrespect. Meanwhile, Austin may be oblivious to all of the messages his behavior is sending. Communication exchanges consist of more than verbal messages, such as those covered in Chapter 4. Communication exchanges are also rich in nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication consists of all the messages we send in ways that transcend spoken or written words (Knapp, Hall, & Horgan, 2014). More specifically, nonverbal messages are cues we send with our body, voice, space, time, and appearance to support, modify, contradict, or even replace a verbal message. Nonverbal messages play an important role in communication. In fact, research suggests that 65–90 percent of meaning comes from the nonverbal messages we use to communicate in face-to-face interactions (Burgoon & Bacue, 2003; Littlejohn & Foss, 2009). In other words, the meaning we assign to any utterance is based on our interpretation of both the verbal message and the nonverbal messages that accompany it. Interpreting nonverbal messages accu- rately is critical to understanding and responding appropriately to what others are “saying.” The widespread use of social media (e.g., email, Facebook, texting, Twitter, Instagram, and smartphone technology) emphasizes the important role of nonverbal messages. We often use emoticons, all capital letters, GIFs, and acronyms such as LOL (a.k.a. laugh out loud) to communicate the nonverbal messages we would employ through facial expressions and body language in face-to-face communication. We begin this chapter by briefly describing the char- acteristics of nonverbal communication.

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  Handbook of Semiotics

  • Winfried Noth, Winfried Nöth(Authors)
  • 1990(Publication Date)
  • Indiana University Press

    (Publisher)

  PART VII Nonverbal Communication Nonverbal Communication: Introduction Gesture, Body Language, and Kinesics Facial Signals Gaze Tactile Communication Proxemics: The Semiotics of Space Chronemics: The Semiotics of Time Nonverbal Communication: Introduction Pursuing Saussure's program for the exten-sion of research from linguistics to a science that studies the life of signs within society, semioticians have turned to the study of non-verbal communication as the semiotic field most closely connected with verbal behavior (cf. Rossi-Landi 1968: 66). The core of non-verbal communication is the semiotic func-tion of the human body in time and space, but there is some vagueness in its delimita-tion against visual and vocal communication. The conditions under which nonverbal be-havior becomes sign or communication are of central interest to the foundations of semiotics. l. Survey of the Field Nonverbal communication is a transdiscipli-nary field of research. Its branches are com-monly determined according to the parts of the human body functioning as a signifier in semiosis, but some authors have proposed alternative classifications of the field accord-ing to criteria such as the relation to verbal behavior (Ehlich &: Rehbein 1982), chan-nels, and psychological or semiotic func-tions (Poyatos 1982a; 1983, Patterson 1983, Tantam 1986). 1.1 State of the Art Nonverbal communication research is a rap-idly expanding field of transdisciplinary interest.

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  Communication in Everyday Life

  • Seyed Ali Fallahchay(Author)
  • 2020(Publication Date)
  • Society Publishing

    (Publisher)

  Then, the importance of non-verbal communication becomes visible in the lives of human beings. Non-verbal communication provides the Non-Verbal Communication: The Control over the Uncontrollable 83 content of the presentation and provides an elusive element of reliability and credibility. Non-verbal communication explains the printed and mailed matter to the intended audience and brings out the sense of words that might get lost in translation. 4.3. TYPES OF NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION There are several different kinds of nonverbal communication or body language that comprise: Figure 4.4. Types of nonverbal communication. 4.3.1. Facial Expressions The face of the human is extremely expressive. The human face can express numerous emotions without even uttering a single word. And unlike some other types of nonverbal communication, facial expressions are universal. The facial expressions that are used by an individual when they are happy, sad, angry, surprised are the same across different cultures. Communication in Everyday Life 84 4.3.2. Body Movement and Posture It has been observed that the opinions of an individual are influenced by the way they walk, sit, stand, or hold their head. In addition to it, the way an individual move and carry them conveys a wealth of information to the entire world. This kind of nonverbal communication comprise of the posture of the individual, bearing, stance, and all the subtle movements that they make. 4.3.3. Gestures Gestures are knitted into the fabric of the day to day life of an individual. An individual may wave, point, invite, or make use of their hands when they are arguing or talking animatedly. Often, they express themselves with gestures without even thinking. Though, the meaning of some of the gestures can be very different across different cultures. For example, the OK sign made with the hand of an individual communicates a positive message in English-speaking countries.

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  Handbook of Communication Competence

  • Gert Rickheit, Hans Strohner, Gert Rickheit, Hans Strohner(Authors)
  • 2008(Publication Date)
  • De Gruyter Mouton

    (Publisher)

  Nonverbal behavior’s paramount role stems from evidence that the majority of information, especially sensitive information, is communicated nonverbally. This chapter will examine how nonverbal encoding and decoding work separately and in concert to aid in-dividuals in successful communication. 1. Power of nonverbal behavior in interpersonal exchange Research suggests that nonverbal behavior, such as facial expressions and body movement, communicates more information about what one is thinking or feel-ing than words. Even conservative estimates of the role of nonverbal behavior suggest that 60 % of what is communicated is done so nonverbally (Burgoon 1994). When nonverbal and verbal cues conflict, nonverbal cues are more likely to be believed. Thus, nonverbal behavior appears to provide unique insights into an individual’s thoughts and feelings that are not otherwise accessible (Bonoma and Felder 1977). Research that has examined interactions in which access to 258 Nancy M. Puccinelli nonverbal cues is eliminated, such as over email, finds that people prefer media channels in which nonverbal cues are available (Westmyer, DiCioccio, and Rubin 1998). In addition, they find people with whom they communicate in these channels warmer and more personal. Moreover, when verbal content is unclear, people seem to rely almost exclusively on nonverbal cues. Research looking at the effect of courtroom judges’ expectations on jury decisions finds that these ex-pectations can be communicated nonverbally. Specifically, when the instructions for the jury are complex judges’ expectations have a greater effect on jury deci-sions than when the jury receives simplified instructions (Halverson et al. 1997). It seems nonverbal behavior also communicates a great deal about one’s compe-tence. Research that had observers evaluate photographs of salespeople were able to predict the most successful salesperson (Walker and Raghunathan 2004).

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  Interpersonal Communication

  Pergamon International Library: Pergamon General Psychology Series

  • Kurt Danziger, Arnold P. Goldstein, Leonard Krasner(Authors)
  • 2016(Publication Date)
  • Pergamon

    (Publisher)

  This applies not only to the broad and relatively persistent qualities of the relationship but also to such elementary matters as the allocation of the roles of speaker and listener in verbal exchanges. If an interaction is not to become chaotic but to continue in a relatively structured form, each participant must constantly monitor the effect his actions have on other participants. It is only on the basis of such information that each individual is able to regulate his own performance so as to maintain the kind of reciprocity on which successful human interaction is based. If this reciprocity is lacking, the interaction will quickly break up, or at least will not be renewed. In sum, much nonverbal communication defines the social context in which messages are transmitted and received, thus making their interpretation possible. It is nonverbal communication that establishes an essential difference between human interaction and the interaction that takes place when two computers talk to each other. REFERENCES Aiello, J. R. and Jones, S. E. (1971). Field study of the proxemic behavior of young school children in three subcultural groups. /. Personal. & soc. Psychoi, 19, 351-356. Argyle, M. and Dean, J. (1965). Eye contact, distance and affiliation. Sociometry , 28, 289-304. Argyle, M., Lalljee, M., and Cook, M. (1968). The effects of visibility on interaction in a dyad. Hum. Relat., 21, 3-17. Argyle, M., Salter, V., Nicholson, H., Williams, M., and Burgess, P. (1970). The communication of inferior and superior attitudes by verbal and nonverbal signals. Brit. J. soc. & din. PsychoL, 9, 222-231. Birdwhistell, R. L. (1970). Kinesis and Context. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. Bugental, D., Kaswan, J. W., and Love, L. R. (1970a). Perception of contradictory meanings conveyed by verbal and nonverbal channels. /. Personal. & soc. Psychol ., 16,647-655. Bugental, D., Kaswan, J.

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  Empowerment Series: Social Work with Groups

  Comprehensive Practice and Self-Care

  • Charles Zastrow, Sarah Hessenauer(Authors)
  • 2018(Publication Date)
  • Cengage Learning EMEA

    (Publisher)

  138 5 Verbal and Nonverbal Communication LEARNING OBJECTIVES Sigmund Freud noted, “He that has eyes to see and ears to hear may convince himself that no mortal can keep a secret. If his lips are silent, he chatters with his fingertips; betrayal oozes out of him at every pore” 1 To be effective, group members and social workers must be able to communicate their thoughts and feelings accurately. This chapter will help prepare students to: LO 1 Understand a model of communication. LO 2 Identify factors that interfere with the communication process. LO 3 Communicate more effectively. LO 4 Have an increased understanding of nonverbal communication. A ll cooperative group interaction, whether verbal or nonverbal, depends upon effec-tive communication. Through communication, members argue, trade insults, debate issues, arrive at group goals, assume tasks and responsibilities, laugh, and work out differences. Effective communication occurs between two or more people when the receiver interprets the sender’s message in the way the sender intended. The meaning of a communication is the response it elicits in the receiver, regardless of the intent of the sender. Strong communication skills are also important for social workers as a way of support-ing self-care. Social workers who use effective communication skills in expressing their own needs, asking for help, clarifying their roles in the workplace, interacting effectively and differently with clients, and giving/receiving support in the workplace report lower levels of burnout. 2 LO 1 Understand a Model of Communication A MODEL OF COMMUNICATION Although most people think they understand what communication is all about, they are not fully aware of the process that goes on whenever people share ideas. This section will briefly summarize the process. We will begin by assuming that you, a sender, want to express a thought or a feeling.

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