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ING105 Effective CommunicationLECTURE 7: NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION

2Verbal vs. Nonverbal Communication

Verbal communication is often called language. In that sense it refers to the use of sounds and words to send a message.

It serves as a vehicle for expressing our thoughts, ideas, desires and other things we want to get across.

There are two types of verbal communication: speech and writing A friendly chat

A phone conversation

Writing a letter

A class discussion

How about a baby’s cry? What about grunting?

3Verbal vs. Nonverbal Communication (cont’d)

Nonverbal language is often defined as gestures and body language. It is any method of transferring information without words. Facial expressions, gestures, body language and posture.

In addition to gestures and body language, sometimes what we do not say could be considered to be nonverbal communication.

For instance, not answering a question could communicate several things such as: not knowing the answer,

not having actually heard the questioner,

not worthy of answering.

4A Joke

a

5Another Joke

a

6Yet Another Joke

.

7One Last Joke

a

8Objectives

After reading this chapter, you should be able to

Explain the concept of body movement

Identify uses of emblems, illustrators, affect displays, regulators and adaptors

Explain the concept of time communication

Explain the concept of smell communication

Explain the concept of touch communication

Define the term paralanguage

9Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication radiates (i.e. comes) from all of the senses but does not include the use of verbal symbols. We can communicate through:

Sight (motion, color and shape) Artists communicate their ideas and feelings through colors and shapes.

Touch A handshake, hug, a pat at the back

Smell You smell smoke and you suspect if there is fire somewhere

Sound You hear a bell ringing and you know the class is over

10Nonverbal Communication (cont’d)

We send messages through our use of space, color, and time; artifacts such as furniture, clothing and jewelry.

Q: Why is nonverbal communication important?

A: A solid blend of verbal and nonverbal communication skills enhances your effectiveness with other people.

It is important to make adjustments in personal style to make sure our nonverbal messages complement our verbal messages.

11Nonverbal Communication (cont’d)

We cannot not communicate: Communicators assign meaning to all nonverbals.

Although you have no control over some physical characteristics such as height, communicators will interpret nonverbal messages from physical characteristics.

According to a University of Florida study: Taller people earn more money; supervisors rated taller staff

members as more effective.

12Nonverbal Communication (cont’d)

It is important for you to know that nonverbals account for a large portion of our total communication package.

Verbal communication comprises only 35% of our total communication. This is interestingly less than half.

We use nonverbals much more than verbals.

You need to make careful choices about the nonverbals that you can control so that the overall impression is consistent with your message and your personal brand.

13Four Functions of Nonverbals

There are four basic functions of nonverbal communication:

They can substitute for a verbal message: It is far easier to point to something than to explain where it is. In this case we choose a nonverbal message rather than words.

“Talk to the hand”

It is a common substitution for ______________

14Four Functions of Nonverbals (cont’d)

They can emphasize a verbal message: We can use a hand gesture to make a verbal statement more grandiose. Sometimes people want to emphasize how big something is by a hand gesture.

It was THIS BIG!

The donation amount was THIS SMALL!

15Four Functions of Nonverbals (cont’d)

They can contradict a verbal message: We have to be careful of not contradicting our verbals with our nonverbals. Sometimes it is a nervous reaction to smile when we tell very serious bad news. A person verbally expressing a statement of truth while

simultaneously avoiding eye contact may convey a mixed message to the receiver.

16Four Functions of Nonverbals (cont’d)

They can regulate conversation: We use eye contact to let someone know when it is their turn to talk or we put up a hand to stop someone from interrupting us. Touching someone's arm can signal that you want to talk next or

interrupt.

(do the handout)

17Types of Nonverbal Communication

There are a number of types of nonverbal communication.

Body movement (Kinesics): Body movement gives a lot of information about who we are. Movements of the body, or some part of it, used to communicate

an idea, intention or feeling.

Even the smallest gesture or movement communicates information about us.

Eye contact

Gestures

Facial expressions

Head movements (Amy Cuddy’s video)

18Types of Nonverbal Communication (cont’d)

Direct eye contact with other people is expected in some countries as a sign of respect but it is considered to be aggressive and discrespectful in others. How about in Turkey?

What kind of body movements do you think are considered inappropriate?

Constant body motion should be controlled

Shaking a foot and tapping a pen during conversations

People may interpret this behavior as nervousness or an indication of impatience.

19Types of Nonverbal Communication (cont’d)

Emblems

Emblems are nonverbal movements which have a direct verbal translation, generally a word or phrase.

They are substitutions for words and are often culture specific. They do not have a universal meaning. After an exam your friend gives you a thumbs-up

The ‘V’ gesture

The ‘be quiet’ sign (watch the clip!!)

20Types of Nonverbal Communication (cont’d)

Illustrators

Illustrators are nonverbals used to enhance the understanding of a message. They accompany and literally illustrate the verbal msg. Saying ‘Let’s go’ while motioning with your arm for your friends to go

Saying ‘how big’ something is and opening your hands

We can point to direct attention of our listeners

Asking ‘what time is it?’ while pointing to your watch.

Be careful not to use too many hand gestures. In many cultures, gesturing for every comment is distracting.

(watch the clip!!)

21Types of Nonverbal Communication (cont’d)

Affect displays

Affect displays are facial muscle movements used to convey meaning. Affect displays are feelings expressed through our bodies.

Facial expressions reveal whether we are: Happy

Sad

Angry

Interested

Surprised

Disgusted (watch the clip!!)

22Types of Nonverbal Communication (cont’d)

Regulators

Regulators are movements that direct the conversation. When the instructor asks a question and you do not want to be called

on, you look down at your desk.

In contrast, the student who makes eye contact with the instructor signals a desire to answer the question.

Regulators are acts that help to initiate and terminate the speech of participants in a social situation. Regulators might suggest that the speaker wants to keep talking,

clarify something, or hurry up and finish.

Eye contact is used to let the conversation partner know whether to keep talking or when it is the listener’s turn to speak. (watch the video!!)

23Types of Nonverbal Communication (cont’d)

Adaptors

Adaptors are self-touching behaviors. Adaptors are often interpreted in a negative way by other communicators. A person who is always fussing with hair, glasses or clothing is

perceived to be nervous or not paying atttention to what is being communicated.

  Adaptors are acts related to satisfying bodily needs. Moving into a more comfortable position, scratching

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End of Communication!