NON VERBAL

COMMUNICATION
 INTRODUCTION
Nonverbal communication, also called manual language, is the
process of sending and receiving messages without using words,
either spoken or written. Common examples of manual language
include facial expressions, gestures, body posture, and eye contact.
Similar to the way that italicizing emphasizes written language,
nonverbal behavior may emphasize parts of a verbal message.
EXAMPLES: Sarah’s raised eyebrows and wide smile when she saw
her friend walk through the door conveyed her excitement and
happiness.
During the presentation, the speaker’s confident posture, with arms
open and relaxed, signaled their confidence and authority on the
topic.
 HISTORY AND EVALUTION
The term nonverbal communication was introduced in 1956 by psychiatrist Jurgen
Ruesch and author Weldon Kees in the book Nonverbal Communication: Notes on the
Visual Perception of Human Relations.Nonverbal messages have been essential to
human relations for centuries and continue to be a critical aspect of communication. For
instance, in The Advancement of Learning (1605), Francis Bacon observed that "the
lineaments of the body...disclose the disposition and inclination of the mind...further
disclose the present humor and state of the mind and will .
 CHARACTERISTICS OF NON
VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Characteristics of nonverbal communication
Nonverbal communication serves as a continuous flow of information, shaping our
interactions with others in significant ways. Thus, an awareness of these characteristics
empowers us to navigate the complex landscape of nonverbal communication with greater
sensitivity and authenticity.
1 Continuous and Inevitable: Nonverbal communication is constantly present and
ongoing, even when we are not actively speaking. Our behavior, gestures, and expressions
continuously transmit messages to others, whether intentional or unintentional.
2 Ambiguous and Subject to Interpretation: Nonverbal cues can have multiple
meanings and are open to interpretation. A single nonverbal signal can be perceived
differently by different individuals, leading to potential misinterpretation. Understanding
nonverbal communication requires considering the specific context in which it occurs.
3 Relational and Emotional: Nonverbal communication is primarily used to express
emotions, and feelings, and establish and maintain interpersonal relationships. It allows us to
convey liking, attraction, anger, respect, and various emotional states that may be difficult
to articulate through words alone.
 IMPORTANCE OF NON
VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Conveying emotions: Nonverbal communication can often convey emotions more
effectively than . For example,Written a bright smile can effectively communicate joy
and an open palm can effectively communicate trust.
Establishing rapport: Nonverbal communication can help establish rapport with
others. For example, making eye contact and smiling can help build trust and
establish a connection with others.
Providing context: Nonverbal communication can provide important context for the
words we use. For example, the tone of our voice can indicate whether we are being
sincere or sarcastic.
Interpreting messages: Nonverbal communication can help us interpret the messages
of others. For example, if someone is fidgeting or looking away while orally
communicating, it may indicate that they are nervous or uncomfortable.
 FUNCTIONS OF NON
VERBAL COMMUNICATION
1 Contradiction and Negation: Nonverbal cues can contradict or diverge from verbal
messages, creating a double-message situation where the words convey one
meaning, while the nonverbal cues indicate something contrary.
2 Emphasis and Accentuation: Nonverbal cues can emphasize or underscore a verbal
message, using techniques such as raising or lowering the voice, changing the rate of
speech, or deliberately stressing certain words.
3 Regulation and Control: Nonverbal cues can regulate or control person-to-person
interaction by establishing rules of order or turn-taking during the conversation. By
employing eye contact, gestures, and voice, individuals can influence the sequence of
speakers and guide the direction of verbal exchanges.
4 Reinforcement and Complementation: Nonverbal cues can reinforce or complement
a verbal message by adding depth, sincerity, or clarity to the spoken words. Actions
and behaviors align with the verbal message to strengthen its impact.
 PRINCIPLES OF NON VERBAL
COMMUNICATION
1 Conveying Interpersonal and Emotional Messages: Nonverbal communication plays a significant role
in conveying important interpersonal and emotional messages. It can provide additional meaning and
depth to verbal messages, especially in situations where verbal and nonverbal messages conflict or
when emotional or relational communication is involved.
2 Involuntary Expression: Nonverbal communication is often more involuntary than verbal
communication. While verbal communication can be consciously controlled to some extent, nonverbal
cues are often below our consciousness and more difficult to control or fake.
Peter A. Andersen in his publishing “Nonverbal Communication: Forms and Functions” states that
nonverbal communication is “irrepressible. Thus nonverbal signals tend to leak out, revealing our
underlying thoughts or feelings.
3 Credibility: Nonverbal communication often carries greater credibility. People often put more trust in what others do
rather than what they say. The involuntary and subconscious nature of nonverbal cues adds to their genuineness and
perceived honesty, making them more credible indicators of thoughts, feelings, and intentions.
TYPES OF NON VERBAL
COMMUNICATION
1 Kinesics: Kinesics refers to the study of body movements and facial expressions as a form of nonverbal
communication. It encompasses gestures, postures, facial expressions, and eye movements.
Body movements can convey a range of meanings, such as nodding to indicate agreement, crossing arms to
signal defensiveness, or leaning forward to show interest. Facial expressions, such as rotating eyes, or raising
eyebrows in surprise, have the power to convey a wide range of emotions, attitudes, and intentions.
2 Haptics: Haptics is the study of touch as a form of nonverbal communication. Touch can communicate a
variety of messages, including affection, comfort, support, power, and aggression.
Various forms of physical touch, such as a firm handshake, friendly pat on the back, or gentle touch on the
arm, possess the ability to communicate diverse meanings, which are influenced by cultural and social
norms. It’s essential to consider context and the relationship between individuals when interpreting touch
communication.
3 Physical Appearance: Physical appearance involves the way an individual presents themselves visually,
including clothing, hairstyle, grooming, and overall attractiveness. It can communicate information about
personality, status, culture, and professionalism.
People often form initial impressions and make judgments based on physical appearance alone, highlighting
the role it plays in nonverbal communication.
4 Artifacts: Artifacts refer to objects or accessories that individuals use or wear as part of their nonverbal
communication. This can include items like clothing, jewelry, accessories, or personal belongings. Artifacts
can communicate aspects of one’s identity, cultural affiliation, social group, and personal style.
For example, wearing a religious symbol may indicate religious affiliation or a person carrying a laptop bag
can convey their professional occupation.
5 Proxemics: Proxemics refers to the examination of how people utilize and interpret space in the context of
communication. It involves the concept of personal space and physical distance. Different cultures have
varying norms regarding personal space, and violations of these norms can affect interpersonal dynamics.
TYPES
6 Chronemics: Chronemics refers to the use of time as a nonverbal communication
cue. It includes the perception and use of time, such as punctuality, waiting, and
response time. Cultural norms and individual preferences influence how time is
valued and interpreted.
For example, some cultures prioritize punctuality and view being on time as
respectful, while others have a more relaxed approach to time management.
7 Paralanguage: Paralanguage encompasses the vocal aspects that accompany
speech, including tone of voice, pitch, volume, and speech speed, These aspects can
convey additional meaning beyond the actual words spoken.
For example, a soft and soothing tone can indicate comfort or empathy, while a loud
and aggressive tone may signal anger or dominance. Paralanguage plays a
significant role in expressing emotions, attitudes, and intentions.
8 Silence: Silence holds great influence as a form of nonverbal communication. It
refers to the absence of speech and can convey various meanings depending on the
context.
Silence can indicate respect, agreement, disagreement, discomfort, or even power
dynamics. Different cultures and situations interpret silence differently, and it’s
essential to consider cultural norms and the specific context to accurately interpret
its meaning.
 CONCLUSION
Non verbal communication plays an important role in how we convey
meaning and information to others as well as how we interpret the actions
of those around us and that theory has been proved over the last years. It
is essential to consider the actions of non verbal behaviours in group.What
a person actually says along with his or her expressions appearance and
tone of voice might tell you a great deal about what that person is really
trying to say
THANK YOU