Nonverbal Communication

By Miss Wilson

Ch. 3 Key Terms

• Nonverbal Communication• Body Language• Multi-channeled• Emphatic Gestures• Descriptive Gestures• Posture• Stance• Proxemics• Communication Imperative• Mannerism• Credibility

Body Language

• Gestures• Eye Contact • Posture• Facial Expression• Proxemics

ALL USED to convey feelings!

Multi-channeled

• Conducted through both verbal and nonverbal means

Posture and Stance

Posture: How you hold your bodyStance: How you distribute your weight

Affects breathing, how you are perceived, conveys interest and respect, convey general attitude in speakers and listeners

Eye Contact

• Lets you know people are listening• Validates importance of the listeners• Key part of interpreting feedback• Should be shared

Gestures

• Emphatic Gestures: Emphasize spoken words. Include shrugging, nodding, and pointing

• Descriptive Gestures: Allow a speaker to help listeners visualize spoken words.

Movement and Appearance

• Moving often makes communicators feel at ease, is a key part of controlling distance, but can be distracting.

• Appearance: affects the way the message is received. Conveys level of formality. Should only draw positive attention

Proxemics

• THE USE OF SPACE

• Differs from culture to culture and situation to situation.

• Crowded spaces, public and work settings, and gender differences come into play.

Communication Imperative

• You are never NOT communicating!• Meaning is attached to all forms of non-verbal

communication• Mannerisms• Credibility