Verbal vs. Non-verbal Communication

• All communication employs dual modes to carry meaning

– Verbal the use of language• What we say

– Non-Verbal all non-language forms of meaning• How we say it• What we do• How we appear

Verbal Communication

• Meaning of language resides in individuals– meaning can change based on…

• who is using the language

• the context within which the language is used

• Miscommunication of verbal messages– words can have multiple meanings

Actual Newspaper Headlines

• Child's Stool Great for Use in Garden.

• Grandmother of Eight Makes Hole in One.

• Two Convicts Evade Noose, Jury Hung.

• Queen Mary Having Bottom Scraped.

• Milk Drinkers are Turning to Powder.

• Never Withhold Herpes from Loved One.

• Farmer Bill Dies in House.

• Iraqi Head Seeks Arms.

Nonverbal Communication• Functions of Nonverbal Communication

– repetition (repeat verbal message)

– accentuation (emphasize meaning of verbal message)

– substitution (in place of verbal communication)

– regulation (control flow of verbal messages)

– contradiction (sending a mixed message)

• Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication

– meaning is culturally determined

– may disagree with verbal message

Nonverbal Communication• Types of nonverbal Communication

– facial expressions

– body language

– clothing

– jewelry

– tattoos, body piercing

– attractiveness

Proxemics

• The study of space

• The closer the relationship the higher the comfort for intimate space

self

intimate

personal

social

public

Nonverbal Communication

• Touch