Bethami A. DobkinRoger C. Pace

Communication in a Changing World, 2006 Edition

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C H A P T E R

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6

Appreciating and Using Nonverbal Communication

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Nonverbal Communication

• Basic Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication

• Functions of Nonverbal Communication• Types of Nonverbal Communication• Communicating Responsibly: Managing No

nverbal Cues Effectively

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Basic Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication“We will try to persuade with our words, but if

our words fail, we will try to persuade with out acts.”

—Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Basic Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication• Nonverbal Communication Is Not Language

– Nonverbal communication is defined as messages expressed through symbols other than words

– Also call nonlinguistic, a characteristic of nonverbal communication indicating that nonverbal messages are outside languages

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Basic Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication“Emotion constantly finds expression in

bodily position.”

—Mabel Elsworth Todd, dancer, educator, author

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Basic Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication• Nonverbal Communication Is Often Linked

to Our Emotions– Most nonverbal communication is intrinsic, or

inherently connected to our inner feelings or emotions

– The intrinsic nature of nonverbal cues leads us to perceive them as more truthful or genuine than verbal communication

– The intrinsic nature of nonverbal messages also makes some of them more universal than verbal messages

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Basic Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication• Nonverbal Communication Is Highly

Contextual– Nonverbal messages often get their precise

meaning from the communication context• Nonverbal Communication Is Influenced by

Culture and Gender– The way we use and understand nonverbal

messages is also dependent on our cultural knowledge and values

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Basic Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication• Exploring Communication Concepts

– Gender Differences in Nonverbal Communication

• How do you differ from the general tendencies listed above?

• How are you similar?• Why do you think men generally make less eye

contact than women?• What are some possible reasons that men use more

space than women?

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Basic Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication• Nonverbal Communication Is Continuous

– Nonverbal message flow in continuous, or steady streams of cues rather than individual, distinct bits of information

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Basic Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication Figure 6-1. Characteristics of

Nonverbal Communication

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Types of Nonverbal Communication

• Many of our nonverbal behaviors employ kinesics, the use of body motion to communicate nonverbally

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Types of Nonverbal Communication

• Facial Expressions– Most nonverbal experts believe that your face is

the richest source of nonverbal clues

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Types of Nonverbal Communication

• Eye Contact– We seem to use prolonged eye contact to

compensate for lack of physical proximity– Eye contact communicates involvement and

interest

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Types of Nonverbal Communication

• Gestures– Gestures are defined as a significant movement

of the body that expresses a message to a receiver (Thomas 1991)

– Emblems are gestures with clear and specific meanings

– Using Gestures to Regulate Interactions– Using Gestures to Adjust or Adapt– Using Gestures to Illustrate

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Types of Nonverbal Communication

• Gestures (continued)– Using Gestures to Regulate Interactions

• We use gestures to initiate, coordinate, and terminate communication

– Using Gestures to Adjust or Adapt• We also use gestures called adaptors to adjust or

adapt to our environment– Using Gestures to Illustrate

• Speaker’s gestures, or illustrators, are important communicative tools that emphasize, accent, or clarify our verbal communication

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Types of Nonverbal Communication

• Proxemics– The study of space is called proxemics

• Personal Space1. The intimate zone is the closest space and extends

approximately 18 inches form your body2. The personal zone extends from 18 inches to four feet

from your body3. The social zone extends four to eight feet from your body4. The public zone extends beyond eight feet from your body

• Territoriality is the human need to mark and defend space

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Types of Nonverbal Communication

• Touch– Haptics is the use of touch to communicate

nonverbally

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Types of Nonverbal Communication

• Vocalics– Vocalics is the use of the voice to communicate

nonverbally• Probably the most important aspect of vocalics is

voice quality1. Rate is how fast you talk2. Volume is the loudness of your voice3. Inflection is the vocal emphasis you place on words

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Types of Nonverbal Communication

• Odor– Odors are sometimes forgotten nonverbal cues,

our sensory environment is full of pleasant and unpleasant smells that communicate a variety of messages

– Culture plays a big role in what smells communicate

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Types of Nonverbal Communication

• Time– Chronemics is the use of time to communicate

• Time as an Indicator of Money and Status– Time is a strong indicator of power and status in our

society

• Time as an Indicator of Competence• Cultural Views of Time

– Many cultures view time as circular, in which events happen concurrently, called polychronic

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Types of Nonverbal Communication

• Artifacts– Artifacts is the use of objects to communicate

nonverbally

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Communicating Responsibly: Managing Nonverbal Cues Effectively• Monitor Your Nonverbal Messages

– The first step toward using nonverbal communication effectively is being conscious of the messages you are sending

• Avoid Intrusive Nonverbal Cues– Nonverbal communication is powerful, and it

can easily be misused in ways that violate the privacy or to threaten others

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Communicating Responsibly: Managing Nonverbal Cues Effectively• Remember the Cultural Context of

Nonverbal Cues– Being sensitive to and tolerating the difference

between cultures is one of the most important communication skills you can develop

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Summary

• Nonverbal communication is nonlinguistic and is often intrinsically connected to the emotions we feel

• Nonverbal communication can augment, repeat, or highlight words or phrases

• We use eye contact to compensate for lack of physical proximity, to regulate verbal interaction, to establish immediacy or closeness with others, and to exert control or dominance

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Summary

• Kinesics is the use of body movement to communicate nonverbally

• Proxemics is the use of space to communicate nonverbally

• Touch conveys a variety of messages depending upon the relationship of the people touching

• We use our voice to communicate messages other than words