NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION
WHAT IS NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Nonverbal communication between people is communication through sending and receiving wordless cues. It includes the use of visual cues such as body language (kinesics), distance (proxemics) and physical environments/appearance, of voice (paralanguage), and of touch (haptics) Nonverbal Communication has been defined as communication without words. It includes apparent behaviors such as facial expressions, eyes, touching, and tone of voice, as well as less obvious messages such as dress, posture, and spatial distance between two or more people.
Nonverbal communication is usually understood as the process of communication through sending and receiving wordless (mostly visual) messages. Messages can be communicated through gestures and touch (Haptic communication), by body language or posture, by facial expression and eye contact. Meaning can also be communicated through objects or artifacts (such as clothing, hairstyles, or architecture). Speech contains nonverbal elements known as paralanguage, including voice 14 quality, rate, pitch, volume, and speaking style, as well as prosodic features such as rhythm, intonation, and stress. Likewise, written texts have nonverbal elements such as handwriting style, the spatial arrangement of words, or the physical layout of a page. Dance is also regarded as a form of nonverbal communication
NATURE OF NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
Nonverbal communication is an essential part of the total communication package. From a nonverbal perspective, you are a lighthouse of information continually sending messages from which others derive meaning.
All Nonverbal Behavior Has Message Value.
While we can refrain ourselves from peaking—we literally can shut our mouths—it is impossible for us to stop behaving. Behavior, whether intentional or unintentional, is ongoing. You cannot stop sending nonverbal messages. As long as someone is aware of your presence and is there to decode your nonverbal communication, it is impossible for you not to communicate. Even if you turn your back on the observer and remove yourself from his or her sight, you are communicating. With this in mind, if someone were to enter the space in which you are now reading, what messages might they derive from your nonverbal demeanor? Are you seated at a desk or reclining on a bed? What does your face suggest regarding your level of interest and degree of understanding?
Nonverbal Communication Is Ambiguous.
Although nonverbal cues are continuous and frequently involuntary, others can evaluate them in different ways—that is, what we communicate may be ambiguous and subject to misinterpretation. One nonverbal cue can trigger a variety of meanings. For example, wearing jeans can be symbolic of a relaxed mode of dress or it can be construed as a statement of support for the gay community, as when gay organizations without warning surprise blue jean wearers by posting signs that say “Wear jeans if you advocate gay rights.” Nonverbal cues may not mean what others think they do. There could be any number of reasons why a person looks at a watch, coughs, or rubs his or her eyes. All nonverbal behavior should be interpreted within a specific context.
Nonverbal Communication Is Predominantly Relational.
Many find it easier to communicate emotions and feelings nonverbally. We convey liking, attraction, anger, and respect for authority nonverbally. In fact, our primary means of revealing our inner states, that typically are not readily transmitted using words, is through nonverbal communication. For example, we usually look to the face to assess the emotional state. We look to the mouth to evaluate contempt. We look to the eyes to evaluate dominance and competence. We base our judgments of confidence and relationship closeness on our reading of gestures and posture, and we listen to the voice to help us evaluate both assertiveness and self-confidence. Sometimes we are unaware of the nonverbal cues we send; as a result, we inadvertently reveal information we would rather conceal. Without intending it, our nonverbal messages let others know how we feel about ourselves and about them. As our awareness of our nonverbal communication increases, its informational value decreases. In effect, a conscious intention to manage the impression we convey means that we will do our best only to communicate messages that are in our own best interest.
Nonverbal Behavior May Reveal Deception.
When a person says one thing but means another, we can use our deception detection skills to determine that the person’s behavior contradicts his or her words. Under most circumstances, when there is a discrepancy or inconsistency between verbal and nonverbal messages, researchers advise that you believe the nonverbal cues, which are more difficult to fake. Deception clues or leakage can be detected in changes in facial or vocal expression, gestures, or slips of the tongue. In fact, once strong emotions are aroused, these changes may occur automatically, with our words, body, and voice betraying us by thwarting our attempts to conceal them.
Nonverbal communication may be intentional or unintentional, since often when people communicate nonverbally, they are unaware of it.
Nonverbal communication is primary because it takes precedence over verbal communication.
Nonverbal communication is continuous because one is constantly communicating through nonverbal behaviors.
Nonverbal communication is multi-channeled since we use a variety of cues to make an interpretation.
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