Nonverbal Communication

Today I will learn all the types of nonverbal communication

So that I can become a better communicator

I will know I have it when I can explain the importance of each kind to a classmate

Nonverbal communication is any information or emotion communicated in a way other than words.

APA numbers indicate that:

38% of the meaning of any message is VOCAL 55% of the meaning of any message is FACIAL

EXPRESSION 7% of the meaning of any message is VERBAL

That means that 93% of communication is “nonverbal.” MLA numbers indicate that the number is closer

to 70-75% of all communication is nonverbal.

5 Reasons that nonverbal communication is relevant: Nonverbal communication is our richest source of

information about emotions and feelings. Nonverbal communication is less apt to deceive,

distort, or conceal. Paralanguage communicates “between the lines.”

Paralanguage is defined as vocal quality such as pitch, rate, and tone.

It is highly efficient. Think of gestures that communicate easily and readily what it may take several words to communicate.

It provides subtlety and suggestion to imply what we cannot or do not want to commit to words.

Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication

It is continuous. It is rich in meaning. It can be

confusing. (crossing arms/crossing legs/ passive)

It conveys emotion. It is guided by norms and rules of

appropriateness. It is culture-bound.

Functions of Nonverbal Communication…

Redundancy – this refers to when nonverbal communication may say the same thing as the words

Functions Continued… Substitution –

nonverbal communicated may serve to replace words all together

Functions Continued… Complementation –

it may supplement or modify the words

Emphasis – it may accentuate or punctuate the words

Functions, continued… Contradiction – it may conflict with the

words (lie detector tests/sarcasm) Regulation – it may regulate the flow of

verbal interaction

Forms of Nonverbal Communication

Emblems – have a distinct verbal translation

Illustrators – nonverbal cues directly tied to speech

Forms continued… Affect displays –

nonverbal cues that reveal emotions

Regulators – non-verbal cues that regulate the give-and-take of speaking

Forms, continued… Adaptors – objects

manipulated for a purpose serve unique purposes of nonverbal communication

Nonverbal Cues spatial cues

personal bubbles Intimate, personal, social distance

visual cues facial expressions eye contact body stance and posture personal appearance

vocal cues attributes of sound that convey meaning silence

touch cues

Posture

Position of a person’s body during a presentation

A speaker’s posture should be straight and formal

Poise

A person’s overall composure and confidence.

A speaker’s poise should be confident and calm

Rate

The speed at which you speak A speaker’s rate should be not too

slow and not too fast. The audience should be able to easily follow your speech.

Enunciation

The clarity of a speaker’s words A speaker’s enunciation should be

clear without being overly dramatic

Volume

The decibel level of a speaker’s voice A speaker’s volume should be loud

enough for all people in the audience to hear easily, but not over powering

Eye Contact

A speaker’s ability to look up A speaker’s eye contact should be

50% (or less) on notes and 50% (or more) looking up

Pauses

A speaker’s use of pauses to guide a speech

A speaker’s use of pauses should be purposeful and silent (no ummms, uhhs, etc.)