TOPIC 2: NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Objective: To describe elements of physical non-verbal communication and

explain the elements of paralanguage.
Learning outcomes
 Appreciate the use of non-verbal communication
 Demonstrate key elements of physical and paralanguage in non-verbal
communication.
 Apply non-verbal communication skills, read body language and evaluate
non-verbal signals.
Introduction
We communicate nonverbally constantly. It’s the primary way that we
communicate with other people. Nonverbal communication (NVC) is the
transmission of messages or signals through a nonverbal platform such as eye
contact, facial expressions, gestures, posture, and the distance between two
individuals. The communication takes place through hand movements,
expressions, eye movement, etc. between two people who can see each other. It
is defined as the exchange of information without the use of words. Non-verbal
communication requires multiple mediums. We need to pay attention to various
factors, such as body language, facial expressions, etc.
Here are some types of nonverbal communication and the effects they can have
on the success of your communication:
i. Facial expressions: Be aware of your facial expression when you talk and
particularly when you listen. It convey your message of whether you are
happy, sad, or angry
ii. Gestures: When you speak, a gesture can make your message stronger.
Pointing out something you want your listener to look at more closely is an
example of nonverbal communication that makes your message understood.
Example; Motioning warmly toward a coworker who deserves special
recognition, making a fist to show frustration or anger, such gestures help
further engage your audience when you speak.
iii. Proximity: How close you are to your audience when you speak sends a
nonverbal message. If your size is imposing and you leave a very small
distance between you and your listener, it’s likely your nonverbal
communication will be a bit threatening. On the other hand, giving someone
too much space is an awkward nonverbal communication that might confuse
your listener.
iv. Touch: Shaking an audience member’s hand, putting your hand on his
shoulder: these are nonverbal cues that can affect the success of your
message. Touch communicates affection, but it also communicates power. In
fact, when women touch a listener, it’s often assumed that they’re being
affectionate or conveying empathy, but when a man touches a listener, it can
be taken as a sign of communicating power or even dominance.
v. Eye contact: Making and maintaining eye contact with an audience when
you’re verbally communicating or listening communicates to the other party

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 that you’re interested and engaged in the conversation. Good eye contact
often conveys the trait of honesty to the other party.
vi. Appearance: Your clothing, hair, and jewelry are also a part of nonverbal
communication. If you put a dachshund pin on your lapel each morning
(because you have a pet dachshund), that says something about you as a
person. Similarly, the quality and condition of your clothing, how it fits, if it’s
appropriate for the season all of these things speak nonverbally about you as
a communicator.
vii. Over use of hands- this is commonly in people who speaks rapidly while his
or hands are flying all over the place. It is an indicator that the person is
nervous or manic (overexcited)
viii. Looking at a watch, phone or clock during a conversation shows that they
are in a hurry for it to be over or they are no longer interested or your time is
up.
ix. Frowning- is an indicator of emotions especially if the speaker is telling a sad
story, frowning by a listener may be emphaticizing.
x. Sweating- this is a sign that someone is nervous or uncomfortable. It is
attributed to lack of confidence.
Roles of Non-Verbal Communication
i. Relational purposes- non-verbal communication is used for relational
purposes. To communicate with another, we must make eye contact with a
few exceptions. Thus, relationships begin with nonverbal communication.
ii. Repetition- it repeats and often strengthens the message you are making
verbally.
iii. Contradiction- it can contradict the message you are trying to convey thus
indicating to your listener that you may not be telling the truth.
iv. Substitution- it can substitute for a verbal message. For example, your facial
expression often conveys a far more vivid message than words.
v. Complementing- it may add to or complement your verbal message. As a
boss, if you pat an employee on the back in addition to giving praise, it can
increase the impact of your message.
vi. Accenting- it may accent or underline a verbal message, pounding the table
for example can underline the importance of your message.

How to improve nonverbal communication

We can improve how to communicate verbally by learning the followings;
i. Managing stress- stress compromises your ability to communicate. When
you are stressed out, you are more likely to misread other people.
Emotions are contagious, if you are upset it is very likely to make others
upset thus making a bad situation worse. If you are feeling stressed take
a time out. Take a moment before getting back into the conversation.
ii. Develop your emotional awareness- you need to be aware of your
emotions and how they influence you. Likewise, be able to recognize the
emotions of others and the true feelings behind the signals they are
sending.

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 How to read body language
i. Study the eyes- looking away frequently or avoiding eye contact can indicate
that the person is uncomfortable, trying to hide something or distracted.
Frequent blinking can also indicate that the person feels uncomfortable or
upset.
ii. Facial expression- facial expressions can indicate happiness, anger, sadness,
confusion, contempt, fear and excitement.
iii. Arms- keeping the arms close to the body to draw less attention. It also
indicate feelings of self-protection, defensiveness or being closed-off.
iv. Feet and legs- crossed legs may indicate the person feels disinterested or
closed-off.
v. Hands and fingers- giving a thumb up is a sign of approval. Rapidly tapping
fingers to express irritation.
vi. Mouth- biting the lower lip to indicate insecurity or worry. Smile to show
happiness, approval, content, etc.
vii. Having good posture- if someone is sitting up straight, it’s a sign they are
paying attention to what you are saying.
viii. Eye contact- if someone stares or glares at you, it’s usually not a positive sign.
ix. A firm hand shake- if someone gives you a firm a hand shake, it’s a sign that
they respect you. A firm hand shake should not be painful as that can be
intimidating.
Evaluating non-verbal signals
i. Eye contact- is the person making eye contact with intense or just right?
ii. Facial expression- look at the display of face with unexpressive or filled with
interest?
iii. Tone of voice- check if the person’s voice indicate interest or it is strained
and blocked.
iv. Posture and gesture- is their body relaxed or stiff and immobile? Are their
shoulders tense and raised or relaxed?
v. Touch-is there any physical contact? Is it appropriate to the situation? Does
it make you feel uncomfortable?
vi. Intensity- does the person seem flat, cool, and not interested?
vii. Timing and place- is there an essay flow of information back and forth? Do
nonverbal responses come too quickly or too slowly?
viii. Sounds- do you hear sounds that indicate interest, caring or concern from
the person?

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Group work
TOPIC TWO: NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Case - Advertising Radio FM Brand

A young, gorgeous woman named Susan is standing in front of her apartment

window dancing to the 1970s tune, “All Right Now” by the one hit band free.
Across the street a young man named Emmanuel looks out of his apartment
window and notices her. Emmanuel moves closer to the window, taking interest.
Susan cranks up the volume and continues dancing, looking out the window at
Emmanuel, who smiles hopefully and waves meekly. He holds up a bottle of wine
and waves it, apparently inviting her over for a drink. Susan then waves back.
Emmanuel kisses the bottle and excitedly says, “Yesss.” Then, he gazes around
his apartment and realizes that it is a mess. “No!” he exclaims in a worried tone
of voice. Frantically, he does his best to quickly clean up the place, stuffing
papers under the sofa and putting old food back in the refrigerator, he slips on
a black shirt, slicks back his hair, sniffs his armpit, and lets out an excited,
“Yeahhh!” in eager anticipation of entertaining Susan. Emmanuel goes back to
the window and sees Susan still dancing away. He points to his watch, as if to
say “Come on. It is getting late.” As Susan just continues dancing, Emmanuel
looks confused. Then a look of sudden insight appears on his face, “Five,” he
says to himself. Emmanuel turns on his radio and it too is playing “All Right
Now.” The man goes to his window and starts dancing as he watches his lady
friend continue stepping. “Five, yeah,” he says as he makes the “okay” sign with
his thumb and forefinger. Emmanuel waves again. Everyone in the apartment
building is dancing by their window to “All Right Now.” A super appears on the
screen: “Are you on the right wavelength?”

Questions & answers:

1) What is non – verbal communication? Why do you suppose that this

commercial relies primarily on non-verbal communication between a
young man and a gorgeous woman? What types of non – verbal
communication are being used in this case?

Answer:

a. Nonverbal communication (NVC) is usually understood as the process of

communication through sending and receiving wordless messages. Such
messages can be communicated through gesture; body language or posture;
facial expression and eye contact; object communication such as clothing,
hairstyles or even architecture; symbols and info graphics. Speech may also

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contain nonverbal elements known as paralanguage, including voice quality,
emotion and speaking style, as well as prosodic features such as rhythm,
intonation and stress. Likewise, written texts have nonverbal elements such as
handwriting style, spatial arrangement of words, or the use of emoticons.
However, much of the study of nonverbal communication has focused on face-
to-face interaction, where it can be classified into three principal areas:
environmental conditions where communication takes place, the physical
characteristics of the communicators, and behaviors of communicators during
interaction Kinesics looks at (body) movement as a factor in non-verbal behavior
whereas eye behavior, looks at the influence of visual contact on the perceived
message that is being communicated.

b. The commercial relies primarily on nonverbal communication as the distance

between the communicating parties is of one street and spoken words will easily
drown in the loud music of the radio. All the more reason for our hopeful Emma
to use facial expression and waving was that the Susan increased the volume
citing the Emma's interest. Apparently interested more in ‘Five’ channel than
visiting our fellow’s apartment, Susan simply continued looking at him while
continuing to dance.

C. In this case eye contact, waving, and facial expression (smiling) have been
used.

2) Would any of the non-verbal communications in this spot (ad) not work
well in another culture?

Answer: The gesture of holding thumbs up in Japan means “boss.” So, this
won’t work in this ad

In Iran, the thumbs up sign is considered vulgar, so the young man in this ad
may have to do away with it.

In Uganda, the thumb up is associated with a political party.

3) What role does music play in this spot? Who is the target market?

Music plays an important role in this spot; the whole idea is about promoting a
music channel. The young man gets this sudden insight of tuning in to ‘Five’
when he notices that the gorgeous lady is dancing to a song. This suggests that
listeners to ‘Five’ enjoy their music and can connect to it, in solo and in
group/community. Playing music to convey this message does the job of the
advertisers in a simple, direct and effective manner. Target audience is young
generation of the country. Youngsters who may like to party and enjoy their life

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and keep their surroundings happening with hustle and bustle are targeted by
this commercial.

4) Is the music at all distracting from the message?

Answer: No, the music is not distracting

The music is in fact the heart of this commercial, rather than distracting; it
actually is de facto conveying the message