Understanding Understanding Nonverbal Nonverbal MessagesMessages

Preview• Why Focus on Nonverbal

Communication?• The Nature of Nonverbal Communication• Codes of Nonverbal Communication• How to interpret Nonverbal Cues More

Accurately

Nonverbal Communication

Defined• Communication

other than written or spoken language that creates meaning for someone– Sign language is

one exception to this definition

Why focus on Nonverbal

Communication?• Nonverbal messages communicate

feelings and attitudes– Most significant source of emotional

information is the face (Albert Mehrabian)

– Vocal cues– Approximately 93% of emotional

meaning is communicated nonverbally.

Why focus on nonverbal

communication?• Nonverbal messages are

critical to successful relationships

• Nonverbal messages serve various functions for verbal messages:

» Substitute» Complement» Contradict» Repeat» Regulate» Accent

The Nature of Nonverbal

Communication• Culture-Bound• Rule-governed• Ambiguous

– Perception checking• Continuous• Non-linguistic• Multi-channeled

Codes of Nonverbal Communication

• Appearance– artifacts

Codes of Nonverbal Communication

• Body movement, Gestures, and Posture– Kinesics refers to the

study of human movements, gestures, and postures

• Emblems• Illustrators• Affect displays• Regulators• adaptors

(People En Espaňol Magazine, Aug 2004, pg 20)

Codes of Nonverbal Communication

• Kinesics Research– Quasi-courtship behavior –

nonverbal actions we consciously and unconsciously exhibit when we are attracted to someone:• Courtship readiness• Preening• Positional cues• Appeals to invitation

Codes of Nonverbal Communication

• Eye contact• Facial expressions• Touch (haptics)

– Touch ethic• The Voice

– Paralanguage or vocalics– Back-channel cues– Response latencies

Codes of Nonverbal Communication

• Environment, Space, and Territory– Physical environment– Space (proxemics)

• Intimate space• Personal space• Social space• Public space

Edwin T. Hall’s Zones of Space

Codes of Nonverbal Communication

• Territory– Territoriality– Territorial markers

How to Interpret Nonverbal Cues

• Immediacy Immediacy Cues

Proximity:……………………………. Close, forward leanBody Orientation:……………… Direct, could be side-by-sideEye Contact:……………………….. Eye contact & mutual eye

contactFacial Expression:…………….. SmilingGestures:……………………………. Head nods, movementPosture:………………………………. Open, relaxed, arms

oriented toward othersTouch:………………………………….. Cultural-and-context

appropriateVoice:…………………………………… Higher pitch, upward pitch

How to Interpret Nonverbal Cues

• Immediacy– Arousal– Dominance

What questions do

you have?

•Homework:–Reading?–Turn in assignment?