It’s what you say…and what you don’t

Nonverbal Messages in Communication

Nonverbal Messages in Communication

Why look at nonverbal messages?90-93% of emotional meaning is taken from

nonverbals

What is nonverbal communication?All the behaviors and elements of people, other

than words, that convey meaning

Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication

Emotions and feelings are more accurately and easily communicated nonverbally

Nonverbals are not easily controlledWhen nonverbal and verbal messages

conflict, nonverbals are usually more accurate

Nonverbals indicate how you should interpret messages

Characteristics of Nonverbal Continued…People remember more of what they see

then what they hearPeople from different cultures may attach

different meanings to the same gesturesNonverbal communication helps us

understand how others react to us and our ideas (feedback)

Types of Nonverbal Communication

AppearanceKinesics (body movements)Facial Expressions (Gaze)Physical EnvironmentParalanguageArtifactsProxemicsTemporalOther (Haptics, Olfactics, Territoriality)

Kinesics (Body Movement)Emblems – directly translate into words/phrases

(OK sign)Illustrators – accompany and illustrate a verbal

message (size of fish you caught)Affect displays – emotional meaning (fear,

happiness, anger, etc.)Regulators – monitor, maintain, or control the

speaking of another (hand gesture to slow down)

Adaptors – satisfy some need (scratching your head)

Distractors – no function (nervous habits)

Facial Expression StudiesFacial Expression Studies

• Many facial expressions and sequences of nonverbal behavior have been found to be universal

• Flirting, embarrassment, submission, happiness, sadness, anger, disgust

Can you guess what emotion the following people are expressing?

GazeGaze

• An individual’s looking behavior

• Gaze is used to regulate and monitor communication

• It is also used to express willingness or lack of desire to communicate

Paralanguage

How something is said; anything that affects the content of what is saidStressPitchRateVolumeRhythmFillersPausesDistractors – yawning, laughing, moaning, etc.

Space & ProximitySpace & Proximity• The distance we choose in a given conversation is a

function of our cultural and personal expectations for appropriate distance

Intimate – physical to 18 inches

Casual/personal – 2 feet to 4 feet

Impersonal business – 4 to 12 feet

Public – 12 feet and beyond